Renowned British historian and scholar Arnold J. Toynbee devoted his life to researching the emergence and decline of civilizations across time. According to him, civilizations are intricate systems that go through phases of expansion, deterioration, and finally disintegration. How these large structures end is one of the main concepts he put forth.

According to Toynbee, most civilizations fail because of their own internal flaws rather than because of outside forces like invasions or conquests. Instead of being blown over by the wind during a storm, this concept can be compared to a tree that withers and falls because of rot inside its trunk. Civilizations frequently fall victim to internal decay, much like an old and sickly tree may.

He noted that this internal decline is caused by a number of factors, including moral or spiritual deterioration, economic instability, social disintegration, and a loss of creativity in leadership. Over time, these problems can deplete a civilization's vitality, leaving it susceptible to its own mistakes and unable to adjust to shifting conditions.

Toynbee's viewpoint provides an insightful analysis of human societies and their viability. It implies that internal corruption and complacency may be more dangerous than external threats. Civilizations may be able to address underlying problems before they cause complete collapse by identifying these warning signs.

Numerous academics and thinkers who perceive similarities in contemporary times have found resonance in this idea. Toynbee's cautions about the perils of internal decay seem especially pertinent today as countries deal with hitherto unseen issues like political polarization and climate change.