We need the weak exclusivity of premodern or early modern histories if only because national societies are now increasingly unable to exclusively manage the escalating crises generated by the ‘counter-finalities’ of modern nations.66

I outlined three enormous challenges for the Digital Age: rising inequality, massive environmental degradation, and the risks arising from major geopolitical change. These daunting challenges could overload our political institutions and provoke a devastating conflict. Such has been the pattern of the past. Surely the prime task of our age is to re