Transitions from one turning to the next are sometimes precipitated by unexpected and sometimes nasty jolts. The first turning in any cycle is a High . The second, an Awakening . The third, an Unraveling . The fourth, a Crisis .
Highs are periods of strong institutions and weakened individualism.
Respect for authority is a typical High value. 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.