The Suicide of Western Capitalistic Democracy: Can it happen? Is it happening?

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Abstract
The nature of the field theory of evolving societal systems is briefly summarized, working definitions of “democracy” and “suicide” provided, and a number of failing subsystems identified. The nature of field theory is then expanded to examine dynamics at three levels. Special attention is paid to micro‐macrointerrelations, Kondratiev cycles/ structures, hegemonic cycles/structures, and the generation of unstable macroscopic behavior from local, seemingly rational microscopic behavior. The evolution of sociotechnical and macropsychological cognitive structures is discussed in some detail. Considerable attention is then paid to the changing meaning of rationality in science. Next policy implications are discussed. It is concluded that Western Capitalistic democracy can commit suicide and is doing so.