The journey to our Toxic Age begins with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Democracies multiply. Gradually, everything goes awry. The toxins have two sources: one concerns the absolute lawlessness of America, the breakdown of international law, and the trampling of liberal values. The second relates to the implementation of neoliberal policies. These provoke social fractures and political polarization.
Inequalities skyrocket. In America, Trumpism and absolute division are born. Yet, from 1945 to 1975, capitalist democracies achieved a political, economic, and social miracle as the welfare state incorporated the whole society. However, this political model is collapsing.
The lawlessness of uncontrolled markets triggers the global crisis of 2007-2008. The result is that the rich become much richer, while the middle class is downgraded and the working class is flattened. The economic elites gain enormous influence in the political sphere, with insignificant politicians as puppets.
Since 2006, democracies are declining and becoming less democratic. Dictatorships are increasing and becoming even harsher. The Russian dictator invades Ukraine, claiming it does not exist as an independent country! The excessive influence of economic elites, polarization, and inequalities wound societies. This is our Toxic Age.
