Can too many elites push America toward collapse?

America doesn't need another civil war to fall apart.

In End Times, Peter Turchin argues that one of America's biggest threats may come from within: too many people competing for elite status, while ordinary Americans struggle to get ahead.

From college admissions and shrinking opportunities to political polarization and Washington's dysfunction, Zac explores how a powerful nation can slowly become unstable—and whether America can still change course.

🎙️ A Zac's Take Podcast

📚 Featured book:End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites, and the Path of Political DisintegrationBy Peter TurchinPenguin Press · June 2023ISBN: 9780593490501

🇫🇷 France is rioting. But why?

What started as student protests over failing schools has become a much bigger crisis over public services, the welfare state, government spending, policing, and France’s political future.

In this episode, Zac looks beyond the riots and asks a harder question: is France facing a deeper crisis of money, growth, and trust?

And with the 2027 election approaching, what happens when the political center can no longer convince people that the system is working?

🎙️ A Zac’s Take Podcast

🇺🇸Marco Rubio gave a speech about the future of the West—with the Acropolis and Parthenon behind him.

But beneath the talk of immigration, industry, defense, and Western identity was a bigger question: has the West lost its desire to strive, build, compete, and excel?

In this episode, Zac explores Rubio’s idea of “thumos” and asks a harder question: can the West recover a culture of excellence without turning strength, tradition, and national pride into political slogans?

🎙️ A Zac’s Take Podcast