We are just entering a new dark age brought on by democracy. Plato's The Republic describes this scenario very well. There was a society that was very wealthy and prosperous thanks to the royal bloodline making great decisions over 100's of years. So they decided to form a DEMOCRACY where all citizens got a say in the laws and rules. Plato is in a room with elderly men and they are recalling witnessing this first hand, so that means the downfall happened FAST. The people in the democracy voted in judges that would make them rich. They voted in politicians that declared everyone equal and outlawed royal blood. They voted in farmers who did not work. They voted for more and more welfare for everyone. When the money ran out because they were not making anything anymore society collapsed and everyone just left and went elsewhere, and the elders describe "the city ruins" to the north that is the remains of that once great society. Linear Progression of humans is not a thing. People can do and will get together, allow stupid people to run things, and then it all collapses. Our forefathers were not brutal enough.