The Phoenix Principle

The Phoenix Principle

Over the last few decades, forest managers have come to realise that preventing forest fires is counterproductive. Occasional fires are needed to keep the forest healthy. They clear out the dead matter that collects in the understory and prevents new growth. Some tree species cannot complete their lifecycle without going through a fire. (Fires are often set by lightning and have been occurring naturally since long before humans arrived on the scene.)

This phenomenon seems to be more widely true of certain complex systems. For example, when rivers are dammed, their ecology suffers. The dams prevent flash floods, which seem destructive and undesirable but which actually shift fallen boulders and other debris that clog up the stream. Similarly, it is thought that periodic extinctions may be a necessary part of biological evolution. They create opportunities for new organisms and new adaptations.

This could be called The Phoenix Principle, or the principle of creative destruction. It has certainly been observed in social systems. The economist Joseph Schumpeter argued that recessions and depressions should be seen in this light. Although painful, they at least clear out old and inefficient industries, challenging complacency and making way for new entrepreneurs with fresh ideas. The same could be said of history as a whole. Wars, revolutions, dark ages--they all play the dual role of destroying failed institutions and creating new ones.

This table gives some examples of the phoenix principle in action in history.

Society

Creative destruction

Yir Yoront aborigines

As their social order crumbled under the influence of European colonists and missionaries, the Yir Yoront devised a new cult, using stolen toothpaste in black magic rituals intended to drive away the intruders.

Greece's post-Mycenaean dark age

Iron-working technology emerged and classical Greek society was born. Fine pottery with geometric designs was developed, and the Homeric poems were composed.

Italic middle ages

Rome began its climb to greatness.

China's Warring States period

This produced many of China's major philosophical, literary and scientific achievements. The 'hundred schools' of philosophers were at their height. Confucius and Lao Tzu founded ethical systems that remain important to this day.

China's First Partition

Fresh themes and techniques emerged in the arts.

China's Third Partition

Gunpowder and printing made great strides forward.

Britain's post-Roman dark age

This saw the most profound changes the island has ever experienced. New peoples arrived, the fundamental structure of the language was altered, many basic institutions were laid down, and the exploitation of natural resources began to move on to a higher plane. In Europe as a whole, this dark age produced great innovations in agriculture, including the 3-field system and ploughing with horses instead of oxen. Waterwheels, neglected by the Romans, spread on a dramatic scale.

North America, post-Hopewell

Corn agriculture spread strongly

Japan, 14-15th century

This was an unstable and chaotic time, but the country experienced strong cultural and commercial growth.

Europe, 14th century

This was a troubled time but businesses innovated strongly in response to changing opportunities. One historian has spoken of the 'rich harvest of an age of adversity'.

Europe, 17th century

This was an era of crisis, but it produced such giant figures as Shakespeare, Galileo and Newton.

Second World War

Japan and Germany, the two defeated powers, had a fresh start and became economic superstars of the post-war era. Some of the victors remained lumbered with old baggage and found it hard to grasp the new opportunities.

Back

Society	Creative destruction
Yir Yoront aborigines	As their social order crumbled under the influence of European colonists and missionaries, the Yir Yoront devised a new cult, using stolen toothpaste in black magic rituals intended to drive away the intruders.
Greece's post-Mycenaean dark age	Iron-working technology emerged and classical Greek society was born. Fine pottery with geometric designs was developed, and the Homeric poems were composed.
Italic middle ages	Rome began its climb to greatness.
China's Warring States period	This produced many of China's major philosophical, literary and scientific achievements. The 'hundred schools' of philosophers were at their height. Confucius and Lao Tzu founded ethical systems that remain important to this day.
China's First Partition	Fresh themes and techniques emerged in the arts.
China's Third Partition	Gunpowder and printing made great strides forward.
Britain's post-Roman dark age	This saw the most profound changes the island has ever experienced. New peoples arrived, the fundamental structure of the language was altered, many basic institutions were laid down, and the exploitation of natural resources began to move on to a higher plane. In Europe as a whole, this dark age produced great innovations in agriculture, including the 3-field system and ploughing with horses instead of oxen. Waterwheels, neglected by the Romans, spread on a dramatic scale.
North America, post-Hopewell	Corn agriculture spread strongly
Japan, 14-15th century	This was an unstable and chaotic time, but the country experienced strong cultural and commercial growth.
Europe, 14th century	This was a troubled time but businesses innovated strongly in response to changing opportunities. One historian has spoken of the 'rich harvest of an age of adversity'.
Europe, 17th century	This was an era of crisis, but it produced such giant figures as Shakespeare, Galileo and Newton.
Second World War	Japan and Germany, the two defeated powers, had a fresh start and became economic superstars of the post-war era. Some of the victors remained lumbered with old baggage and found it hard to grasp the new opportunities.