Why do civilisations collapse? Is our civilisation in danger?

Civilisations are complex societies built on cultural and technological development. Early examples include Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Multiple factors form a civilisation, such as a population, perceptions of art and methods of communication. However, a civilisation can crumble as quickly as it was built due to social, political, economic or environmental reasons. Understanding these factors help us to explore why a civilisation may collapse, and raises questions about whether human civilisations face similar risks today. 

A civilisation depends heavily on its population. Large and interconnected groups are vital for a civilisation’s formation: social interaction fosters community identity, economic stability, and systems of labour and class.  The Greek philosopher Aristotle argued that humans are social animals, wherein our optimal advancements are often in the company of others. Communities create a sense of belonging and a space to share ideas and experiences. Therefore, the interaction between individuals in larger groups contributes to the development of a civilisation. 

Population growth also contributes to the development of a civilisation, and the availability of resources, such as food, is one of the catalysts. Fertile soil, a source of water, a drainage system and appropriate climate conditions all contribute to the fitting of a farmland. The Indus Valley Civilisation is believed to be one of the earliest human communities to implement a drainage system with features of an underground construction, slabs and manholes. Therefore, such structural factors of a civilisation contribute to the production of crops and livestock. A civilisation with a surplus of food can continue to grow, as resources are sufficient to support more people. However, when the human population is beginning to grow at a rate that cannot be supported by the food supply. At this stage, food shortages restrict population expansion and threaten overall stability. This pattern remains relevant today. Current circumstances suggest that 30 million people across twenty-two countries are starving due to insufficient resources. Such shortages undermine the basic survival of a population and can place a civilisation at risk of decline.

Another component of civilisations is their perceptions of art. Art reflects the cultural, social, political and economic values of a community, and can shape public opinions, instilling values and conveying personal experiences. Art is often a representation of one’s internal or external environment. One example of art is Warli painting, a well-known form of tribal mural art from the North Sahyadri Range in India (Figure 2). Traditionally painted in white upon burnt sienna walls, Warli art uses simple shapes and patterns to depict scenes from everyday life. These images reinforce their traditions, values and cultural practices, reflecting the storytelling heritage of the Warli people and their Varli language. By preserving shared narratives across generations, forms of art like the Warli murals help maintain cultural continuity within a civilisation.

Figure 2. Warli Painting

Yet art can also contribute to tensions. In the literary world, several works by children’s author Dr. Seuss have been banned in various places for their offensive depictions of different groups. While often associated with light-hearted stories, Seuss also produced illustrations that portrayed Black characters as gorillas, depicted Jewish people through harmful stereotypes, and reflected orientalist assumptions about Asia. These issues have drawn attention to questions of ethics and representation in children’s literature and beyond, contributing to broader debates associated with “cancel culture.” Such disputes illustrate how differing expectations about what visual, literary, or performing arts should represent can generate conflict within a civilisation. When disagreements intensify, they may strain social cohesion and contribute to broader instability.

Communication is another key element of civilisation. It has taken many forms throughout history, including verbal, non-verbal, auditory, written, and visual expression. The oldest discovered form of communication is cave painting from the Ice Age – dating from roughly forty to fourteen thousand years ago – which depicted humans and animals for symbolic or religious purpose. Over time, written communication evolved. The spoken and written versatility of the alphabet allowed it to become the foundation of contemporary communication. Today, digital technologies have introduced new forms of interaction, from email and text messaging to collaborative online platforms. The evolution of communication methods reflects broader changes in how civilisations organise knowledge and connect communities across time.

Miscommunication can weaken a civilisation by disrupting how information is shared and understood. It relates to misinformation, which occurs when misleading information replaces accurate memory. Digital media amplifies this effect. As online platforms shape how people process information, they can also accelerate the spread of inaccurate narratives. The internet often functions like a collective memory for humanity, allowing like-minded people to form shared – but sometimes distorted – interpretations of events. A common pattern involves misinformation circulating on social media, repeating through conversation or reposting, and eventually becoming embedded as false collective memory.

This dynamic became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, described by researchers as an “infodemic.” The rapid flow of contradictory information created confusion and mistrust, limiting communities’ ability to respond effectively.The surge in social media during quarantine accelerated the spread of both reliable and unreliable information, illustrating how misinformation can undermine the stability of a civilisation.

Digital media has also intensified concerns about censorship, or the suppression of sensitive information. During the pandemic, inconsistent or unclear communication from governments and pharmaceutical industries contributed to public speculation that certain data, such as death rates or transmission patterns, might have been selectively presented. The possibility of such redactions can shape how evidence is perceived, creating biases in public understanding. Whether or not intentional censorship occurred, perceptions of withheld information can distort how people interpret evidence. One widely circulated theory, for example, suggested that COVID-19 originated from a laboratory accident in China, shaping global attitudes and fuelling international suspicion. This example demonstrates how limited transparency, or the belief that information is being controlled, can generate unrest and deepen social divisions within a civilisation, contributing to potential conflict and instability.

In conclusion, several factors may contribute to the collapse of a civilisation. Food shortages can restrict population growth and weaken a society’s stability. Cultural production, including art and literature, may also become a site of division when conflicting beliefs emerge. Finally, ineffective communication systems and concerns about censorship can enable misinformation to spread, creating confusion and undermining social cohesion. When the elements that support a civilisation are not maintained, their breakdown can contribute to its decline.

This piece was written by Arwa Federal edited by Yilin Wang

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