Societal collapse: A literature review

Because of concerns that ongoing climate change could lead to a possible collapse human civilization, the topic societal (civilization) has emerged as especially relevant, not least for futures-oriented studies. While this led extensive research on collapse, there is lack consolidation and synthesis research. The purpose article thus systematize extant suggest future directions. This offers systematic multidisciplinary review existing literature (361 articles 73 books) identifies five scholarly conversations: past collapses, general explanations alternatives fictional collapse. builds foundation critical discussion each line inquiry by focusing theoretical tensions themes within conversation, ending with how these conversations inform futures