The instrument of expansion of Classical civilization was a social organization, slavery. - Carroll Quigley

This book is not a history. Rather it is an attempt to establish analytical tools that will assist the understanding of history

Western civilization presents one of the most difficult tasks for historical analysis, because it is not yet finished, because we are a part of it and lack perspective, and because it presents considerable variation from our pattern of historical change.

...empires and civilizations do not collapse because of deficiencies on the military or the political levels.