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Spenglerian

Spenglerian

1 9.9
About the idea that civilizations rise and fall in repeating cycles and decline
  • adjective
  • /ˌspɛŋˈɡlɛrɪən/
  • Formal
: spengleriano
  • Critics argue that a Spenglerian approach overlooks the potential for renewal and progress.

Examples

  • The historian offered a Spenglerian perspective on the fate of Western civilization.

  • The Spenglerian perspective offers a unique view on historical development.

  • Her Spenglerian views led her to believe that all empires eventually collapse.

  • Many historians adopt a Spenglerian approach to analyze the decline of empires.

  • Many scholars debate the Spenglerian perspective on the cyclical nature of civilization's rise and fall.

  • The documentary presented a Spenglerian analysis of how cultures develop and eventually decline.

  • In his book, he argued from a Spenglerian viewpoint that current events reflect historical patterns.

Surface Forms

Spenglerian positive

Morphology

Spenglerian = Spengler (transparent) = Spengler + ian

Formed directly from the proper name 'Spengler' plus the productive adjectival suffix '-ian', so the relation 'relating to Spengler' is morphologically clear.

Etymology

Spenglerian comes from the name of the German thinker Spengler (Oswald Spengler), who said that civilizations go through long cycles of 'rise and fall'. So a Spenglerian view sees history as a pattern of growth and eventual decline.