Great Decline: Difference between revisions
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| − | The '''Great Decline''', ( |
+ | The '''Great Decline''', (1985-2035) also known as '''the Decline''', was a worldwide period of economic hardship and instability which saw many of [[Kerbin|Kerbin's]] established nations collapse or greatly recede in size. It was triggered by the prior [[Great War]] and the collapse of natural resource supplies. The Great Decline ended in 2035 with the start of the [[Timeline#Formative Era|Formative Era]]. |
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| + | As a result of the Decline, the vast majority of Kerbin fell into disorganised territories, which parts of [[Kerbin]] remain to this day. These regions contained no considerable nation states, instead being comprised almost entirely of city states or an overarching authority without the capacity to enforce its own sovereignty. Some areas such as [[Doren (continent)#Central Doren|Central Doren]] remained devoid of even these basic political units for decades following, while the Deep North remains in this state even at the turn of the 22nd century. |
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| + | == Background == |
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| + | Advanced civilisational blocs with extensive trade connections and centralised sociopolitical institutions characterized the Late Modern Era (c. 1900–1980). Prominent societies (Arcadian, Veiidic, Zokesian, and Aontan) exhibited monumental architecture, advanced spaceflight, and early computing. Flourishing trade, rapid population growth, as well as diplomatic ties progressively deepened their interdependence. This intricate web of dependencies, coupled with the inflexibility of centralised economies, exposed kerbin-wide civilisation to the cascading effects of progressive disruptions. |
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| + | Various mutually compatible causes for the decline have been defined, including climatic changes, resource scarcity, overpopulation, military developments, and a range of region-specific political, social and economic systems failures. |
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| + | General systems collapse theory proposes that societal collapse results from an increase in social complexity beyond a sustainable level, leading people to revert to simpler ways of life. The growing complexity and specialization of the Late Modern political, economic, and social organisation made large societies too complex to easily reestablish once seriously disrupted. The critical flaws of the Late Modern Era (its centralisation, complexity, resource dependence, and top-heavy political structure) were exposed by sociopolitical events (The occurrence of “peak oil” and breakdown of trade), demographic crises (overpopulation), and wars between states(the Great War). Other factors that could have placed increasing pressure include climate change and the resulting drought, crop failure and famine. |
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| + | === Peak Oil === |
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| + | === The Great War === |
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| + | === Trade Disruption === |
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| + | === Climate Change === |
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| + | Termination Shock, brought on by the rapid cessation of oil-based industry and power generation, resulted in a temperature spike for several years. This spike raised the global sea level as well as having other regional specific consequences. |
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| + | ==== Drought ==== |
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| + | ==== Famine ==== |
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| + | ==== Overpopulation ==== |
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| + | == Aftermath == |
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| + | The Great Decline is described as "arguably the worst disaster in Kerbin History, even more calamitous than the Shattering". Cultural views of the disaster told of a "lost golden age", an accolade which remained in use for approximately 150 years after. Casney Rodden suggests that records of Pre-Decline society influenced Vikus's plan for the Greater Kerbin Union. |
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| + | Only a few states survived the Great Decline, most that persisted did so in a greatly diminished state. |
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| + | === Decline Survivor-States === |
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| + | * The [[NMC|SMC]] |
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| + | * Consolidated [[Tekkia]] |
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| + | * [[Grestin|New Grestin]] |
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| + | * [[Solaria]] |
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| + | * [[Treposia]] |
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| + | * [[Soltem]] |
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| + | * [[Comer]] |
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| + | * [[Iyonia|Ionia]] |
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| + | * [[Zokesia]] |
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| + | * [[Arcadia]] |
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| + | * [[Halco]] |
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| + | === Recovery === |
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Latest revision as of 02:55, 25 January 2026
The Great Decline, (1985-2035) also known as the Decline, was a worldwide period of economic hardship and instability which saw many of Kerbin's established nations collapse or greatly recede in size. It was triggered by the prior Great War and the collapse of natural resource supplies. The Great Decline ended in 2035 with the start of the Formative Era.
As a result of the Decline, the vast majority of Kerbin fell into disorganised territories, which parts of Kerbin remain to this day. These regions contained no considerable nation states, instead being comprised almost entirely of city states or an overarching authority without the capacity to enforce its own sovereignty. Some areas such as Central Doren remained devoid of even these basic political units for decades following, while the Deep North remains in this state even at the turn of the 22nd century.
Background
Advanced civilisational blocs with extensive trade connections and centralised sociopolitical institutions characterized the Late Modern Era (c. 1900–1980). Prominent societies (Arcadian, Veiidic, Zokesian, and Aontan) exhibited monumental architecture, advanced spaceflight, and early computing. Flourishing trade, rapid population growth, as well as diplomatic ties progressively deepened their interdependence. This intricate web of dependencies, coupled with the inflexibility of centralised economies, exposed kerbin-wide civilisation to the cascading effects of progressive disruptions.
Various mutually compatible causes for the decline have been defined, including climatic changes, resource scarcity, overpopulation, military developments, and a range of region-specific political, social and economic systems failures.
General systems collapse theory proposes that societal collapse results from an increase in social complexity beyond a sustainable level, leading people to revert to simpler ways of life. The growing complexity and specialization of the Late Modern political, economic, and social organisation made large societies too complex to easily reestablish once seriously disrupted. The critical flaws of the Late Modern Era (its centralisation, complexity, resource dependence, and top-heavy political structure) were exposed by sociopolitical events (The occurrence of “peak oil” and breakdown of trade), demographic crises (overpopulation), and wars between states(the Great War). Other factors that could have placed increasing pressure include climate change and the resulting drought, crop failure and famine.
Peak Oil
The Great War
Trade Disruption
Climate Change
Termination Shock, brought on by the rapid cessation of oil-based industry and power generation, resulted in a temperature spike for several years. This spike raised the global sea level as well as having other regional specific consequences.
Drought
Famine
Overpopulation
Aftermath
The Great Decline is described as "arguably the worst disaster in Kerbin History, even more calamitous than the Shattering". Cultural views of the disaster told of a "lost golden age", an accolade which remained in use for approximately 150 years after. Casney Rodden suggests that records of Pre-Decline society influenced Vikus's plan for the Greater Kerbin Union.
Only a few states survived the Great Decline, most that persisted did so in a greatly diminished state.