[downrightmike]

China's economy crashed in the 60's US manufacturing saved them, but they failed to get enough money to build the middle class they need to support them long term. Russia failed in the late 80's and that lead to their gov collapse, and the graduates of the 80's were the last ones able to run their economy, and they are retiring now/soon without replacement, hence the Ukraine war. The last death throes. EU got too addicted to Russia oil in the 90's as Russia tried to save itself and we are seeing what happens with the reduced mfg in Germany. China makes more BMWs than Germany does. and Germany is their best economy. Everyone else was riding their coat tails, most will probably end up like Greece. Really the only thing that can stop the US is the reduced wages and loss of the middle class, because the middle class actually creates the velocity of money that the market runs on.

[mostlysimilar]

> Really the only thing that can stop the US is the reduced wages and loss of the middle class, because the middle class actually creates the velocity of money that the market runs on.

Political turmoil and "culture war" collateral damage is a genuine risk as well. If nothing else it's preventing us from enacting laws that prevent corporations from continuing to decimate the middle class (e.g. offshoring in software companies.)

[mikewarot]

The culture war is a distraction created by the owner class to keep the wage class busy fighting itself.

[simonblack]

loss of the middle class

You mean like https://www.forbes.com/sites/katharinabuchholz/2023/04/21/ho...

[downrightmike]

Yup, that's why I included it in the examples. Look at that problem and what it has done to South Africa as well. They're too poor to even afford water.