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The Twilight Before the Storm: From the Fractured 1930s to Today's Crisis Culture
THE TWILIGHT BEFORE THE STORM EXAMINES WHAT IS ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING HOW CAN WE AVOID A WORLD ON FIRE?
The next decade promises to be the most critical period in the transition from today’s capitalism toward a yet-to-be defined alternative system. Viktor Shvets, global strategist, Will it be capitalism or communism, feudalism or despotism? The fusion of the disruptive Information Age and deep Financialization (aggravated by generational change and climate) is destabilizing every aspect of our lives—from the role and functioning of labor and capital to political systems, from the private sphere to morality, from education to entertainment.
The world faced similar disorientation in the 1930s. At this time the choice was not between freedom or slavery, but how much freedom needed to be sacrificed to avoid the worst outcomes. There were three choices on the communism, fascism, or constrained democracy. With free market liberalism discredited, the question was not whether to plan economies and societies, but how far state’s control should spread, and how much free space should be left for the private sector and markets.
Today, we are in a place not so different, with the “neo” version of the free-market liberalism once again discredited, causing 1930s-style fractures. With the new consensus on the “right” model not yet formed, alternatives are proliferating. Tensions are on the rise. Are we bound to relive a world on fire of the 1940s, or transit toward a more placid but constrained 1950s-60s? The Twilight Before the Storm examines how and where conflicts might arise—from cold and hot to civil and hungry wars—and suggests policies that might lower tensions and defang extremes. We have options. Will we exercise them in time to avoid the worst? How will future generations judge us?
The next decade promises to be the most critical period in the transition from today’s capitalism toward a yet-to-be defined alternative system. Viktor Shvets, global strategist, Will it be capitalism or communism, feudalism or despotism? The fusion of the disruptive Information Age and deep Financialization (aggravated by generational change and climate) is destabilizing every aspect of our lives—from the role and functioning of labor and capital to political systems, from the private sphere to morality, from education to entertainment.
The world faced similar disorientation in the 1930s. At this time the choice was not between freedom or slavery, but how much freedom needed to be sacrificed to avoid the worst outcomes. There were three choices on the communism, fascism, or constrained democracy. With free market liberalism discredited, the question was not whether to plan economies and societies, but how far state’s control should spread, and how much free space should be left for the private sector and markets.
Today, we are in a place not so different, with the “neo” version of the free-market liberalism once again discredited, causing 1930s-style fractures. With the new consensus on the “right” model not yet formed, alternatives are proliferating. Tensions are on the rise. Are we bound to relive a world on fire of the 1940s, or transit toward a more placid but constrained 1950s-60s? The Twilight Before the Storm examines how and where conflicts might arise—from cold and hot to civil and hungry wars—and suggests policies that might lower tensions and defang extremes. We have options. Will we exercise them in time to avoid the worst? How will future generations judge us?
356 pages, Paperback
Published August 10, 2024
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October 29, 2025
The Twilight Before the Storm: From the Fractured 1930s to Today’s Crisis Culture. Book review by Donald Harvey Marks.
The Twilight Before the Storm, by global strategist Viktor Shvets presents a very readable analysis that the world is in a dangerous transitional period marked by the decline (thank God for that) of neoliberalism. By comparing the current moment to the fractured political and economic landscape of the 1930s, Shvets offers a critical framework for understanding today’s uncertainties.
Key points of the book
Critique of neoliberalism: Shvets argues that neoliberalism, which has dominated economic and political policy for four decades, has become a “failed ideology”. The Global Financial Crisis of 2010 shattered faith in this free-market approach, leading to today’s political and social instability.
Elsewhere, I define the NeoLibs https://bit.ly/3FKqfYJ as generally associated with the 20th-century resurgence of 19th-century ideas of free-market capitalism. As Shvetz points out, Neoliberals advocate (potentially ruinous) policies, including economic liberalization, privatization, deregulation, globalization, free trade, austerity and reductions in government spending in order to increase the role of the private sector in the economy and society.
The “Fujiwara Effect”: A central concept in this book is the merging of advanced technology and deep financialization, which Shvets dubs the “Fujiwara Effect”. This powerful combination has created a world of abundance, not scarcity, by dramatically reshaping global markets, labor dynamics, and capital distribution. This effect is a primary driver of the current upheaval and disinflationary pressures.
Historical parallels to the 1930s: This book draws powerful parallels between today’s crisis and the social, economic, and political fractures of the 1930s. Like in the 1930s, that horrible time that my four grandparents managed to live through, free-market liberalism has been discredited, but no new global consensus has emerged to take its place. This ideological vacuum, combined with technology-driven social disruption (social media and A.I.) has led to a deep loss of faith in institutions.
A “world on fire” and potential conflicts: Shvets warns that without a new societal consensus, humanity could face a “world on fire,” with conflicts ranging from geopolitical tensions to civil strife. He examines where these conflicts might arise and suggests policies to lower tensions and avoid the worst outcomes.
The rise of government intervention: As private markets falter and uncertainty grows, Shvets predicts an increased role for government as a “guardrail”. Governments will need to play a larger part in shaping societal consensus and addressing issues like inequality. This shift challenges the hands-off approach of the neoliberal era.
Homeless orphans trying to keep from freezing on a heat grating in NY City.
A new generational outlook: The Twilight Before the Storm:explores how Millennials and Gen Z view the world differently than the Baby Boomers (my generation), some of whom drove the neoliberal (Ayn Rand and Ronald Reagan) projects. Shvets suggests the younger generation’s (that of our children and grandchildren) worldview, shaped by current conditions, may lead to a future closer to the more constrained, state-involved era of the 1950s and 60s than to the unfettered capitalism of the 1990s.
Related articles from Donald H. Marks, all of which can be found on my personal blog DHMarks.blogspot.com , my Substack, and on my YouTube channel @dhm49
Universal Basic Income (UBI) for the homeless and addicted populations. Bad idea or inevitable?
Could the Government Seize Your Personal Financial Assets in Case of a Financial Crisis?
Are we really in a Financial meltdown? It sure seems like it.
How Critiques of Capitalism Have Evolved. Karl Marx, Thomas Piketty and Victor Shvets.
The pro-Palestinian–anti-Israel alliance claims a prominent place in culture, the news cycle and societal conflict.
Elitists Neocons Neoliberals, Globalists and Narcissists, oh my. What are they, who are they, and why should I care? https://bit.ly/3FKqfYJ
“The End of Reality,” by Johathan Taplin. Book review on wide scale deception and greed by the super wealthy 4 horseman.
Favorite Books and Recent Reads of Donald H. Marks
The Twilight Before the Storm, by global strategist Viktor Shvets presents a very readable analysis that the world is in a dangerous transitional period marked by the decline (thank God for that) of neoliberalism. By comparing the current moment to the fractured political and economic landscape of the 1930s, Shvets offers a critical framework for understanding today’s uncertainties.
Key points of the book
Critique of neoliberalism: Shvets argues that neoliberalism, which has dominated economic and political policy for four decades, has become a “failed ideology”. The Global Financial Crisis of 2010 shattered faith in this free-market approach, leading to today’s political and social instability.
Elsewhere, I define the NeoLibs https://bit.ly/3FKqfYJ as generally associated with the 20th-century resurgence of 19th-century ideas of free-market capitalism. As Shvetz points out, Neoliberals advocate (potentially ruinous) policies, including economic liberalization, privatization, deregulation, globalization, free trade, austerity and reductions in government spending in order to increase the role of the private sector in the economy and society.
The “Fujiwara Effect”: A central concept in this book is the merging of advanced technology and deep financialization, which Shvets dubs the “Fujiwara Effect”. This powerful combination has created a world of abundance, not scarcity, by dramatically reshaping global markets, labor dynamics, and capital distribution. This effect is a primary driver of the current upheaval and disinflationary pressures.
Historical parallels to the 1930s: This book draws powerful parallels between today’s crisis and the social, economic, and political fractures of the 1930s. Like in the 1930s, that horrible time that my four grandparents managed to live through, free-market liberalism has been discredited, but no new global consensus has emerged to take its place. This ideological vacuum, combined with technology-driven social disruption (social media and A.I.) has led to a deep loss of faith in institutions.
A “world on fire” and potential conflicts: Shvets warns that without a new societal consensus, humanity could face a “world on fire,” with conflicts ranging from geopolitical tensions to civil strife. He examines where these conflicts might arise and suggests policies to lower tensions and avoid the worst outcomes.
The rise of government intervention: As private markets falter and uncertainty grows, Shvets predicts an increased role for government as a “guardrail”. Governments will need to play a larger part in shaping societal consensus and addressing issues like inequality. This shift challenges the hands-off approach of the neoliberal era.
Homeless orphans trying to keep from freezing on a heat grating in NY City.
A new generational outlook: The Twilight Before the Storm:explores how Millennials and Gen Z view the world differently than the Baby Boomers (my generation), some of whom drove the neoliberal (Ayn Rand and Ronald Reagan) projects. Shvets suggests the younger generation’s (that of our children and grandchildren) worldview, shaped by current conditions, may lead to a future closer to the more constrained, state-involved era of the 1950s and 60s than to the unfettered capitalism of the 1990s.
Related articles from Donald H. Marks, all of which can be found on my personal blog DHMarks.blogspot.com , my Substack, and on my YouTube channel @dhm49
Universal Basic Income (UBI) for the homeless and addicted populations. Bad idea or inevitable?
Could the Government Seize Your Personal Financial Assets in Case of a Financial Crisis?
Are we really in a Financial meltdown? It sure seems like it.
How Critiques of Capitalism Have Evolved. Karl Marx, Thomas Piketty and Victor Shvets.
The pro-Palestinian–anti-Israel alliance claims a prominent place in culture, the news cycle and societal conflict.
Elitists Neocons Neoliberals, Globalists and Narcissists, oh my. What are they, who are they, and why should I care? https://bit.ly/3FKqfYJ
“The End of Reality,” by Johathan Taplin. Book review on wide scale deception and greed by the super wealthy 4 horseman.
Favorite Books and Recent Reads of Donald H. Marks
December 6, 2025
The book is a good summary of the upcoming risks that we face in the new era of technology and the alteration of the status quo which has been since WW2 the US and the dollar system.
It provides a good context to where the world might be heading in these years of turmoil. Overall, it is a good books to have a deep thought about what is happening in the world, what are the scenarios that could come and to reflect how that affect each one individually
It provides a good context to where the world might be heading in these years of turmoil. Overall, it is a good books to have a deep thought about what is happening in the world, what are the scenarios that could come and to reflect how that affect each one individually
Want to read
December 3, 2024This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
Good analysis of the past and where we currently stand but would have liked a deeper dive into ‘what will the future hold’ hypotheses.
October 27, 2025
I agree with the main argument of the book but felt the book was rambling with low ratio of insights to words. This should have been a blog post instead of a book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews