"What will cause civilization to collapse?" That's easy: "Civilization will collapse when it forgets its root/cause: Civility." The question really should be: "How can Civilization maintain itself and grow?" That answer is essentially the same: "Civilization will maintain itself and grow by remembering its root/cause: Civility." And, Civility has many forms, all rooted in Respect and Kindness for our fellow beings. Quite simply, it is how "ManUnkind" becomes "HumanKind".

https://www.mundusmaris.org/index.php/en/review/other/2840-dp-en

Collapse is usually associated with excessive use of resources and the inability to feed a growing population with what's available, including what may be taken from others. So long as there was room for expansion, collapse was local or regional. Homo sapiens as a species now appropriates so much more per year than what the planet and its ecosystems can reproduce that we exceed at least 6 out of 9 planetary boundaries. Instead of falling for the next hype of those blindly believing in techno fixes - which will only lead to overcompensation of any efficiency gains through more, not less use - as well documented through history - we might reflect on how more humility and restraint can make us all live well within planetary boundaries, produce less waste and more social collaboration, which means quality of life for a social species like ours. But the techno freaks will discard that as fantasy. What if we tried it?

Donald Trump and the Republican Party do seem to be trying quite hard to make civilisation collapse ...

Yes, @Cornelia E. Nauen, your list of classical reasons for collapse is very true. As you wisely note, "... including what may be taken from others" and "... we might reflect on how more humility and restraint can make us all live well ...". These are the morals/ethics within Civilization that are ultimately behind possible Collapse or Thrival. Civilization is Man's first basic attempt at cooperating within our species, a several millenia first-attempt at establishing rules/ethics of a Co-op game. If the Earth-civilization is to Survive/Thrive, and "Not collapse", it will need to update its Rules of Civility, and establish a social fabric which makes adherence to such rules "wholey natural and mutually advantageous" to its diverse members.

Then, with survival ensured, our civilized humanity can move to a unified "HumanKind level of consciousness". This level will most likely not happen "over-night" -- yet, strangely, I somehow sense it may happen exactly that way -- once "WE" are ("Whole Earth" is) sufficiently ready!

Google: Flux and Flux 2018 Deevey's Hare and Haruspex revisited: why domestication dooms civilisation.

Thank you Alexander Ohnemus for this interesting question. The concept of civilization collapse has been a subject of extensive academic discourse across various disciplines, including history, sociology, anthropology, and environmental science. The potential causes of such a collapse are multifaceted and interlinked, ranging from environmental degradation and resource depletion to economic instability and political upheaval. I will explore the primary factors that could precipitate the collapse of civilization and will specifically examine the role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in both mitigating and exacerbating these factors.

Emotional Intelligence (EI), defined as the ability to recognise, understand, manage, and utilise emotions effectively, plays a crucial role in how individuals and societies respond to the challenges that could lead to collapse. EI is integral to leadership, decision-making, and social cohesion, all of which are critical in navigating the complex and interconnected factors contributing to civilization collapse.

A. Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Effective leadership is essential in preventing the collapse of civilizations. Leaders with high EI are better equipped to manage crises, inspire and mobilize people, and foster social cohesion.

Mechanisms:

Empathy and Social Awareness: Leaders with high EI are more attuned to the needs and emotions of their people, enabling them to address grievances and prevent social unrest.

Self-Regulation: EI enables leaders to manage their own emotions, making rational and composed decisions even under pressure.

Inspirational Leadership: Leaders with high EI can inspire and motivate others, fostering resilience and collective action in the face of challenges.

Case Studies:

Nelson Mandela: His high EI enabled him to lead South Africa through a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy.

Winston Churchill: His emotional resilience and ability to inspire others were crucial during World War II.

B. Emotional Intelligence and Social Cohesion

Social cohesion, the bonds that hold a society together, is critical in preventing collapse. High levels of EI within a population can enhance social cohesion by fostering empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills.

Mechanisms:

Empathy: Promotes understanding and tolerance among diverse groups, reducing social tensions.

Effective Communication: EI enhances communication skills, enabling constructive dialogue and conflict resolution.

Collective Resilience: Communities with high EI are better able to support each other and respond collectively to challenges.

C. Emotional Intelligence and Governance

Governance structures and institutions also benefit from high levels of EI, which can enhance decision-making processes, reduce corruption, and improve public trust in institutions.

Mechanisms:

Ethical Decision-Making: EI promotes ethical and transparent decision-making, reducing corruption and enhancing public trust.

Adaptive Governance: EI enables leaders and institutions to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging challenges effectively.

Public Engagement: EI fosters effective communication and engagement with the public, enhancing the legitimacy and effectiveness of governance.

These are some of the articles and presentations I did about Emotional Intelligence and the importance to include in schools and teach everyone.

Article: (Most cited and read)

Article Emotional awareness and emotional intelligence

Presentations:

Conference Paper The need of Emotional Intelligence for TCM business

Presentation Emotional Intelligence in Nursing Curriculum

Conference Paper “Activities and case studies of Emotional Intelligence in Nu...

Presentation Emotional Intelligence in Nursing Curriculum – Speaker - Fre...

Presentation Emotional Intelligence in Leadership for Multidisciplinary H...

Conference Paper Emotional Intelligence in Traditional Chinese Medicine business

Do let me know your thoughts and suggestions

Kind regards

Tiago

My great Thanks to @Tiago Horta Reis da Silva, for articulating the key role of EI = Emotional Intelligence in preventing Civilization's collapse, and in guiding Civilization through Its challenges. Clearly, it is Not TI = Technical Intelligence alone that will save us, but a combination of EI and TI, of Heart and Head (and caring Hands) that will guide us to re/solve issues.

He mentions both EI in our leadership, and EI in our public engagement, as necessary. Yes! So how do we establish EI in societal thinking? Perhaps a start would be a Nobel Peace Prize rewarding work to establish EI institutions and EI thinking in our schools and in our populations. We seem to praise STEM/STEAM programs, but without any EI guiding the technical knowledge! Our focus (and pRaise) must move toward an EI approach, otherwise our collective behavior will continue to become that of a child and his/her narrow "childish thinking"! Civilization, as a child, must Grow-up -- and Soon!