As you can imagine, this is a real fun read. Very optimistic.

Of course not, but the book is a reminder of the limitations and fallibility of all societies. All kinds of societies have risen and have fallen. The author points out the collapse of Rome and the Byzantines specifically, which have haunted the Western imagination ever since.

He points out the various challenges and ways in which societies lead to collapse. He then tries to provide some ways forward.

The author and the work are a little too self-confident in their assertions. For instance, it's ironic to be told we have to listen to others and consider their views and then also need to maintain a robust government which sufficiently supports itself with enough tax money; those two principles would not work well together in modern American discourse (and I don't even disagree with the latter!).

All societies die. How much hope to have in ours is much more debated.