Highs are periods of public spiritedness and cultural optimism. They are times of achievement, but also of conformity. Most of the conformity is voluntary. Awakenings begin when something happens to call the dominant institutions and values of the High into question. Awakenings are scenes of social upheaval and intense questioning.
Conformity is rejected, but optimism remains.
Idealistic political movements rise and thrive during Awakenings. Older values such as corporate loyalty and hierarchy are seen as discredited. But there is nothing to take their place. Hence Unravelings are more pessimistic and even nihilistic. Political movements begun out of the idealism of the preceding Awakening may display a distinct dark side.