The Third Wave by Alvin Toffler. Short summary

5 seconds

According to futurologist Toffler, the development of society occurs in stages or waves, succeeding each other. We are living in an era in which the third wave, post-industrial, is succeeding the second, industrial wave.

1 minute

Futurologist Alvin Toffler believes that humanity has passed through three stages of development, which he calls waves. They succeed each other as a result of technological breakthroughs.

The first wave began with the emergence of agriculture and lasted until the 17-18 centuries. Then began the wave of industrialization, which continues to this day. But it is gradually replaced by the «third wave» — the post-industrial. It should, according to Toffler, cover the entire world by 2025.
For the first wave the basis of the economy is land ownership. It is the longest lasting. The second is characterized by the growth of industry, the accumulation of wealth and standardization. It is characterized by large machine production.

Now comes the transition to a super-industrial society, where there is a rejection of standardization, the transition to individualism and the high role of knowledge and information.

The waves replace each other gradually, even now all three waves are present in different regions of the planet. If they collide, social conflicts arise.