The "fall or rebirth of the West" is a recurring theme in discussions about Western civilization's challenges and future, often framed as a debate about whether current crises indicate a decline or a potential transformation. Proponents of the "fall" argument point to issues like political instability, economic struggles, and perceived military decline. In contrast, "rebirth" arguments suggest that current challenges are a catalyst for a new, potentially transformed or "emergent" global humanism, based on philosophical, spiritual, or social shifts. 

Arguments for the fall of the West

• Perceived military and economic weakness: Some argue that recent strategic decisions, a shrinking volunteer army, and the high national debt indicate a weakening of American power, with China growing militarily at a faster rate. 

• Neoliberalism and late-stage capitalism: This perspective cites the neoliberal era of figures like Reagan and Thatcher as a pivotal moment in the potential collapse of traditional Western models. 

• Internal social and political challenges: Concerns are raised about the retreat of rationality, the rise of tribalism, and internal conflicts that threaten the stability of Western institutions and society. 

Arguments for the rebirth of the West

• Emergence of a new humanism: Some believe that a combination of Eastern and Western philosophical traditions can lead to a new global humanism that addresses current crises and offers a path forward. 

• Return to foundational values: Others suggest a "rebirth" requires a restoration of fundamental values, possibly by moving away from Enlightenment-era thought towards principles from thinkers like Aristotle and Aquinas. 

• Periodic cycle of transformation: Some models of history suggest that civilizations go through cycles of rise and fall, and that current difficulties could be a precursor to a new era, rather than a terminal decline. 

Historical context and comparisons

• Fall of the Roman Empire: The debate often draws parallels to the fall of the Western Roman Empire, with historians pointing to a range of factors, including military changes, the decline of republican traditions, and the shift in religious power. 

• Different models of decline: Some historians argue against a complete "fall," suggesting that systems may not decline in absolute terms but rather shift in their balance of power or grow in new ways.