Incorporating the idea that we are in a Crisis Turning, as described by William Strauss and Neil Howe in The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy, adds another layer to understanding the heightened political, social, and economic tensions of our time. According to Strauss and Howe, history moves in cycles comprising four “turnings.” The Crisis Turning—the fourth turning—is characterized by intense upheaval, where old institutions are dismantled or reshaped, and society redefines its core values in response to existential threats.

As we find ourselves potentially in this Crisis phase, the cracks in established systems are becoming more visible, leading to widespread anxiety, political polarization, and a rising sense of instability. This sense of impending crisis is compounded by the influence of large global organizations, such as the World Economic Forum (WEF), World Bank, United Nations (UN), and World Health Organization (WHO), as well as private foundations like the Open Society Foundations, which are increasingly viewed by many as drivers of global change—sometimes positively, but often with fear and suspicion.

The Fourth Turning and Today’s Crisis

The Fourth Turning theory posits that each era of Crisis (like the American Revolution or World Wars) acts as a transformative period. Societies must confront existential challenges: political corruption, economic collapse, or social disintegration that threaten the established order. Today’s rising sense of crisis—seen in populist movements, economic uncertainty, climate change debates, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic—seems to align with this framework.

The question is whether this Crisis Turning will resolve itself peacefully with a reformation of current institutions OR will it lead to more radical, even revolutionary changes. Within this context, global organizations and private foundations play pivotal, and often contentious, roles.

The Role of Global Institutions

Organizations like the WEF, World Bank, UN, and WHO wield significant influence over global policy. Often seen as enablers of globalization, these institutions aim to address global challenges like poverty, health crises, and climate change. However, their growing influence has also triggered a backlash, particularly from those who feel the bodies operate with little accountability or transparency.

World Economic Forum (WEF)

The World Economic Forum, particularly through initiatives like the “Great Reset,” has become a focal point for “conspiracy theories” and fears of elite control. The Great Reset is an economic recovery plan to restructure capitalism and transform society as the world enters the Fourth Industrial Revolution. While its stated goal is to create a sustainable world, many critics view it as a power grab by global elites, framing it as an effort to control national economies and limit individual freedoms.

World Bank and UN

The World Bank and the United Nations have critical roles in shaping international development policies and tackling poverty. While their stated mission is to reduce global inequality, the influence of these institutions in shaping national policies—especially in developing countries—has led to concerns about sovereignty. Critics fear that these institutions prioritize global governance over national autonomy, pushing policies that benefit multinational corporations or wealthy nations while constraining the independence of poorer countries.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Perhaps no organization has faced as much scrutiny in recent years as the World Health Organization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO became a lightning rod for criticism, especially regarding its role in global public health decision-making. For many, the WHO’s influence over national health policies raised concerns about the potential for overreach, where a global health authority could override national governments in emergencies. With discussions around international health treaties and potential pandemic response frameworks, many fear that the WHO is positioned to exert more control over national health decisions in future crises.

Private Foundations and Their Influence

In addition to global organizations, private foundations—such as the Open Society Foundations, established by George Soros—also play a significant role in shaping global policies, particularly in areas such as human rights, democracy promotion, and social justice. These foundations are perceived as vital contributors to global progress, but others view them as shadowy forces exerting outsized influence behind the scenes.

Open Society Foundations

George Soros’ Open Society Foundations continues to fund initiatives aimed at fostering democratic governance, human rights, and transparency around the world. However, Soros and his network have been criticized for using his wealth to push a globalist agenda, influencing elections, and undermining national sovereignty.

This paranoia, real or imagined, has fueled distrust not only of Soros but of all wealthy private donors who seem to exert disproportionate influence on public policy without any electoral legitimacy. This contributes to the sense that power is being concentrated in the hands of a few global elites, fueling a populist backlash that could play a major role in sparking revolutionary sentiment.

The Intersection of Intra-Elite Competition and Global Institutions

As we tie this back to intra-elite competition, the growing distrust in these global institutions and private foundations can be seen as part of a broader struggle within the elite. Some elites align with these institutions, viewing global governance as necessary to tackle large-scale problems like climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality. Others perceive these institutions as undermining national sovereignty and the traditional power structures they seek to preserve or regain.

This competition within the elite—between globalists who favor centralized, international cooperation and nationalists who advocate for sovereignty and local control—may be one of the key drivers of our current Crisis Turning. As these elite factions vie for power, they mobilize the masses to support their causes furthering discontent with the status quo

The Role of Fear and Propaganda in the Crisis

Fear is a powerful motivator and we see this now in the widespread fear of global institutions, justified or not. The belief that elites and technocrats control everyday life through systems like digital currencies, health passports, or climate regulations fuels revolutionary sentiments. Whistleblowers and The Social Dilemma film strengthen the perception that the masses are being manipulated through algorithms, propaganda, and controlled narratives by the media.

Propaganda—whether in the form of social media influence or news cycles—plays a key role in amplifying these fears. Algorithms reward negative or sensationalist content, causing us to “doom scroll” and focus more on the negative aspects of these institutions and elites. This manipulation feeds into the idea that our society is inherently corrupt and that a revolution is the only way to reclaim control. Whether or not this is true, it helps elites and aspiring elites rally support for their causes, as they position themselves as the answer to these concerns.

Conclusion: A Potential Revolution at the Crossroads

We are standing on the edge of a cliff, a moment in history that may align with the Crisis Turning described in The Fourth Turning. The influence of powerful global organizations like the WEF, World Bank, UN, and WHO, combined with the actions of private foundations like the Open Society Foundations, is causing growing anxiety and mistrust. These institutions represent a new elite trying to reshape the world in their image, potentially at the expense of national sovereignty and individual freedoms.

The 2024 election year is crucial for world governments and fear is rampant. The intra-elite competition between globalists and nationalists, fueled by propaganda and discontent, may push us closer to a breaking point. Whether this leads to revolution, a reformation of the current system or a more peaceful resolution remains to be seen. However, the current moment feels eerily similar to past times of crisis, when old systems were torn down to make way for new ones. Whether history repeats itself or takes a new path will depend on how these forces play out in the coming weeks and months.