In the Law of Civilisation and Decay, Adams considers various societies and civilisations by the symbolism, manner and influence of their coinage, and concludes that a society or civilisation becomes sapped of its culture-vigour, when entering a cycle where money becomes the dominant factor rather than merely serving as a mechanism.

The Law of Civilization and Decay is an overview of history, articulating Brooks' critical view of capitalism. A civilization grows wealthy, and then its wealth causes it to crumble upon itself due to greed.