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Decadence

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	Decadence can refer to a personal trait, or to the state of a society (or segment of it). Used to describe a person's lifestyle, it describes a lack of moral and intellectual discipline Discipline In its most general sense, discipline refers to systematic instruction given to a disciple. This sense also preserves the origin of the word, which is Latin disciplina "instruction", from the root discere "to learn," and from which discipulus "disciple, pupil" also derives.... , or in the Concise Oxford Dictionary: "a luxurious self-indulgence". In a society, it describes corrosive decline Decline Decline is a change over time from previously efficient to inefficient organizational functioning, from previously rational to non-rational organizational and individual decision-making, from previously law-abiding to law violating organizational and individual behavior, from previously virtuous to iniquitous individual moral behavior.... due to a perceived erosion of necessary moral Morality Morality has three principal meanings.In its first, descriptive usage, morality means a code of conduct which is held to be authoritative in matters of right and wrong.... tradition Tradition The word tradition comes from the Latin traditionem, acc. of traditio which means "handing over, passing on", and is used in a number of ways in the English language:... s. (A society that discards unnecessary and outmoded values would not be considered decadent, although perceptions of "unnecessary and outmoded" significantly vary.) Due to arguments over the nature of morality Morality Morality has three principal meanings.In its first, descriptive usage, morality means a code of conduct which is held to be authoritative in matters of right and wrong.... , whether a society is decadent or not is a matter of debate, though certain historical HIStory *HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I* is a double album by Michael Jackson, released on June 20, 1995, and is Jackson's ninth. The first disc, named "HIStory Begins" consists of a selection of Jackson's greatest hits from the singer's past fifteen years, while the second, named "HIStory Continues" features new songs, with the... societies (such as ancient Rome Ancient Rome Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC.... near its end) are generally held to have been decadent, as decadence often leads to objective decline. Decadent societies are often prosperous but usually have severe social and economic inequality Economic inequality Economic inequality refers to disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income. The term typically refers to inequality among individuals and groups within a society, but can also refer to international inequality.... , to such a degree that the upper class Upper class The upper class is a concept in sociology that refers to the group of people at the top of a social hierarchy. Members of an upper class often have great power over the allocation of resources and governmental policy in their area.... becomes either complacent or greedy, while the lower classes become hope Hope Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope is the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.... less and apathetic. The middle class Middle class Middle class is the group of people in contemporary society who are between the working class and nobility. This socioeconomic class includes professionals, highly skilled workers, and lower and middle management.... may exhibit either or both patterns, or it may vanish entirely. Poor leadership is generally held to be both a cause and a symptom of decadence, as the lifestyle of a decadent individual is usually considered to be incompatible with responsibility. Applied to the arts, decadence implies an elevation of self-indulgence and pretension over effort and talent Talent Talent may refer to:Talent, a personal intellectual giftedness/skillA Celebrity or group of themTarento, the Japanese pronunciation of the word; a variety entertainment personality in Japan... ; when applied to science and the professions, it describes an erosion of professional ethics Professional ethics Professional ethics concerns the moral issues that arise because of the specialist knowledge that professionals attain, and how the use of this knowledge should be governed when providing a service to the public.... . Individual or collective greed Greed Sorry, no overview for this topic is generally disliked in societies with strong moral beliefs, and for this reason, societies that nurture it are sometimes accused of decadence. Societies that persist in a state of decadence may become unable or unwilling to commit to their own upkeep and fall into decline. One historical perspective on ancient Rome is that it became decadent due to a succession of unstable emperors like Nero Nero Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus , born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, was the fifth and final Roman emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.... and Commodus Commodus Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus , was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192 . The name given here was his official name at his accession to sole rule; see 'Commodus#Changes of name' for earlier and later forms.... . While they ruled centuries before the fall of Rome, their leadership may have played a role in its decline. This point of view may also be biased by later interpretation; beyond his unpredictability Nero Nero Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus , born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, also called Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, was the fifth and final Roman emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.... was popular with the lower class during his reign. Caligula Caligula Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus , more commonly known by his nickname Caligula , was the third Roman Emperor, reigning from 16 March 37 until his assassination on 24 January 41.... only reigned a few years. See also: Roman decadence Roman decadence Roman decadence was the gradual decline in the ancient Roman republican values of family, virtus , and Dignitas that ultimately led to the decay of Rome.... . Contemporary post-industrial societies Post-industrial society A post-industrial society is a society in which an economic transition has occurred from a secondary industry to a Tertiary sector of the economy, a diffusion of national and global capital, and mass privatization.... such as the United States United States The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U... and Western Europe Western Europe Western Europe refers to the countries in the western most half of Europe. This concept has had different meanings, political and cultural as well as geographical issues have influenced the area.... are sometimes accused of decadence, the argument being that consumerism Consumerism Consumerism is the equation of personal happiness with Consumption and the purchase of material possessions.The term is often associated with criticisms of consumption starting with Thorstein Veblen.... , materialism Materialism The philosophy of materialism holds that the only thing that can be truly proven to existence is matter, and is considered a form of physicalism.... , and selfishness Selfishness Selfishness denotes the precedence given in thought or deed to the self, i.e., self interest or self concern. It is the act of placing one's own needs or desires above the needs or desires of others.... have eroded traditional moral values of community, democracy, and the work ethic. Some critics, like James Howard Kunstler James Howard Kunstler James Howard Kunstler** is an American author, social critic, public speaker, and blogger. He is best known for his books The Geography of Nowhere , a history of American suburbia and urban development, and the more recent The Long Emergency , where he argues that declining oil production is likely to result in the end of industrialize... , have alleged that American decadence has reached such a degree that the society is or will be unable to solve its own environmental and ecological Ecology Ecology is the science study of the distribution and Abundance of life and the interactions between organisms and their nature environment .... problems. In America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It, writer Mark Steyn Mark Steyn Mark Steyn is a Canada writer, political commentator and cultural criticism. He has authored five books, including America Alone, a New York Times bestseller.... argues that decadent lifestyles in the developed world (with the sole exception of the United States United States The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U... ) have led to demographic and social decay. In literature, the Decadent movement Decadent movement The Decadent movement was a late 19th century Art movement and literary movement movement that occurred in Western Europe and primarily France.... —late nineteenth century fin de siècle Fin de siècle *Fin de si?cle* is French language for ?end of the century?. The term sometimes encompasses both the closing and onset of an era, as it was felt to be a period of degeneration, but at the same time a period of hope for a new beginning.... writers who were associated with Symbolism Symbolism (arts) Symbolism was a late nineteenth-century art movement of French and Belgium origin in symbolist poetry and other arts.... or the Aesthetic movement—was first given its name by hostile critics, and then the name was triumphantly adopted by some writers themselves. These "decadents" relished artifice over the earlier Romantics' naive view of nature (see Jean-Jacques Rousseau Jean-Jacques Rousseau Jean Jacques Rousseau was a major philosopher, writer, and composer of the eighteenth century The Age of Enlightenment, whose political philosophy influenced the French Revolution and the development of modern political and educational thought.... ). Some of these writers were influenced by the tradition of the Gothic novel and by the poetry and fiction of Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe was an American poet, Short story writer, Editing and Literary criticism, and is considered part of the American Romanticism. Best known for his tales of Mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the Detective fiction genre.... . Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish people playwright, Irish poetry and author of numerous short stories and one novel. Known for his biting wit, he became one of the most successful playwrights of the late Victorian era in London, and one of the greatest Celebrity of his day.... gave a curious definition: "Classicism Classicism File:Nicolas Poussin 055.jpgClassicism, in the The Arts, refers generally to a high regard for classical antiquity, as setting standards for taste which the classicists seeks to emulate.... is the subordination of the parts to the whole; decadence is the subordination of the whole to the parts." Leninist use Vladimir Lenin Vladimir Lenin Vladimir Ilyich Lenin , born Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov and also known by the pseudonyms V.I. Lenin and N. Lenin, was a Russians revolutionary, a Bolshevik Communism politician, the principal leader of the October Revolution and the first head of the USSR.... continued and extended the use of the word "decadence" in his theory of imperialism Imperialism Imperialism has two meanings; one describing an action and the other describing an attitude.#Action: Imperialism is the practice of extending the power, control or rule by one country over areas outside its borders.... to refer to economic matters underlying political manifestations. According to Lenin, capitalism Capitalism Capitalism is an economic system in which wealth, and the means of producing wealth, are private property and controlled rather than commonly, publicly, or state-owned and controlled.... had reached its highest stage and could no longer provide for the general development of society. He expected reduced vigor in economic activity and a growth in unhealthy economic phenomena, reflecting capitalism's gradually decreasing capacity to provide for social needs and preparing the ground for socialist revolution in the West Western world The term Western world, the West or the Occident can have multiple meanings dependent on its context . Accordingly, the basic definition of what constitutes "the West" varies, expanding and contracting over time, in relation to various historical circumstances.... . Politically, World War I World War I World War I, or the First World War , was a global military conflict which involved the Great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War I and the Central Powers.... proved the decadent nature of the advanced capitalist countries to Lenin, that capitalism Capitalism Capitalism is an economic system in which wealth, and the means of producing wealth, are private property and controlled rather than commonly, publicly, or state-owned and controlled.... had reached the stage where it would destroy its own prior achievements more than it would advance. Followers of Trotsky have split over the extent to which to uphold Lenin as against Trotsky's theory of permanent revolution Permanent Revolution Permanent Revolution is a term within Marxist theory, which was first used by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels between 1845 and 1850, but has since become most closely associated with Leon Trotsky.... . However, followers of Stalin have generally defended the "decadence" thesis of Lenin's theory of imperialism against Trotskyists. Trotskyists tend to stress that capitalism in the West is still progressive Progressivism The term progressive has varying meanings in different countries.In some countries, the word refers to left-wing politics. For instance, in the United States, the term progressive emerged in the late 19th century into the 20th century in reference to a more general response to the vast changes brought by industrialization: an alternativ... and marching forward technologically with the steady accumulation of capital. Followers of Lenin such as Mao Mao , is a Japanese remake of the Korean suspense drama series titled Ma Wang which aired on Korean Broadcasting System in 2007. The drama stars Satoshi Ohno of Arashi and Toma Ikuta, both under the talent agency Johnny & Associates.... and Stalin have argued that there is nothing left for imperialism Imperialism Imperialism has two meanings; one describing an action and the other describing an attitude.#Action: Imperialism is the practice of extending the power, control or rule by one country over areas outside its borders.... to do but die, because it has nothing progressive to contribute anymore. One who directly opposed the idea of decadence as expressed by Lenin was José Ortega y Gasset José Ortega y Gasset Jos? Ortega y Gasset was a Spain philosophy.... in The Revolt of the Masses The Revolt of the Masses *The Revolt of the Masses* is the English translation of Jos? Ortega y Gasset La rebeli?n de las masas. The original was first published in 1929; the English translation, first published two years later, was authorized by the author.... (1930). He argued that the "mass man" had the notion of material progress and scientific advance deeply inculcated to the extent that it was an expectation. He also argued that contemporary progress was opposite the true decadence of the Roman Empire Roman Empire The Roman Empire was the Roman Republic phase of the Ancient Rome, characterised by an autocracy form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean.... . Modern culture and decadence The novels Brideshead Revisited Brideshead Revisited *Brideshead Revisited, The Sacred & Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder* is a novel by the English writer Evelyn Waugh, first published in 1945.... and Vile Bodies Vile Bodies *Vile Bodies* is a 1930 novel by Evelyn Waugh satire decadent young London society between World War I and World War II. The title comes from the Epistle to the Philippians 3:21.... by Evelyn Waugh Evelyn Waugh Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh was a United Kingdom writer, best known for such darkly humorous and Satire novels as Decline and Fall, Vile Bodies, Scoop , A Handful of Dust, and The Loved One, as well as for serious works, such as Brideshead Revisited and the Sword of Honour trilogy that clearly manifest his Catho... examine the decadence of the British aristocracy Aristocracy Aristocracy is a form of government, in which a few of the most prominent citizens rule. This may be a hereditary elite, or it may be by a system of cooption where a council of prominent citizens add leading soldiers, merchants, land owners, priests, and lawyers to their number.... in the 1920s and 1930s. Decadence was aptly used to name the 10th anniversary beer and subsequent line of Belgian Style Beers of Valley Brewing Company in Stockton, Ca. The Decadence name has subsequently been used by several other brewers to commemorate their own 10th anniversary beers. Further reading Richard Gilman, Decadence: The Strange Life of an Epithet. ISBN 0-374-13567-3 Matei Calinescu, Five Faces of Modernity. ISBN 0-8223-0767-7 Mario Praz Mario Praz Mario Praz was an Italy-born critic of art and literature, and a scholar of English literature. His best-known book, The Romantic Agony, was a comprehensive survey of the erotic and morbid themes that characterized European authors of the late 18th and 19th Centuries.... , The Romantic Agony (1930). ISBN 0-19-281061-8 Jacques Barzun Jacques Barzun Jacques Martin Barzun is a France-born United States historian of history of ideas and cultural history. His areas of expertise are far-ranging including "French and German literature, music, education, ghost stories, detective fiction, language, and etymology."... , From Dawn to Decadence, (2000). ISBN 0-06-017586-9 A. E. Carter, The Idea of Decadence in French Literature (1978). ISBN 0-8020-7078-7 External links (Leninist use)