History’s Long Trend: Cooperation

The argument that the dominant arc of human history is an increasing scope and depth of cooperation — through institutions, trade, norms and information networks — rather than inexorable fragmentation. It reframes seemingly acute polarization and conflict as episodic tensions inside a broader cooperative trajectory. — If accepted, this shifts public debate from despair and zero‑sum framing to prioritizing institution‑building, international cooperation and policies that strengthen interdependence.