Thread: Decline of the West

I went with 'other'. I've seen this before, more than once. The west was said to be in decline in the '70s and in the late '80s early '90s. During the Reagan years things picked up substantially after a slow start. Same with the Clinton years. There are so many variables world wide that appearances taken in the moment can be deceiving. So it looks like it but as Casey Stengal, or maybe it was Yogi Berra said, "Predictions are hard, especially the future."

An editor of The Economist has written a "special" report, huh? I look forward to reading the next time I buy a volume of The Economist. Oh, and let's not forget the "Big Time" historian in the article. No "little time" historians for us, thanks very much! But oh, wait....is that a book I see being flogged at the end of the article? Surely not!!

I think the better question with regards these two sources of "information" is "How well does peddling fear and uncertainty sell books and "reports" about "then end" of our way of life?" And the answer seems to be "pretty well, thanks. Now shut up while we count our money."

But to answer the question, I suspect we are seeing how Capitalism might fail. Whether that means the "West" will decline as a result, to me is a matter for conjecture, as I think it will depend on whether societies are willing to adapt and change - so far it doesn't look good in that department: human beings have a tendency to become more conservative in tough times and cling to what they have.

Just one last point - the final choice in the poll speaks volumes to me. All I'd like to say is that there are better and more reliable sources of information on many things than the Media. The Media is political and rife with financial and other conflicts of interest as a general rule. Moreover, nowadays it seems to be less news, more editorialising. Less facts, more pundits telling us what they "reckon" about pretty much anything, regardless of their actual area of expertise. The Media chase ratings (read money), which takes me back to my initial point in this post: fear and uncertainty shift units.

Here endeth my rant...

James.

earcutter:
Talk about a loaded question! It's analysis time:
1. Define "the West." West what? West of what?
2. Define "decline." Geologically? Tectonically? Hockey-ically?

The world's ending in December anyway, so I suppose I should vote "Idunnoknow."

Here in the US I know that things are getting stranger and stranger. I know that socially and economically it is worse for me and the people that I know. Politically the country is becoming more and more divided. With politicians only feeding the division. Future bleak.

I told myself I wouldn't pipe up... just wait and see how it goes I said lol. But I do want to bring up one point that JHAD brought up in that we have been worrying about this for a long time...

That's true! But in the past the "West" was threatened by different economic systems that in retrospect one can say were doomed to fail. Today’s world looks very different, in that those "threatening" the West have adopted and embraced our way of thinking and are working hard to win via "our rules."

I know it might be hard to believe, but China is working VERY hard to create an economic system based off of the West’s. And to date have met with some success.

Ok - just wanted to add that.

And yes James - the last choice is telling : )

Originally Posted by mapleleafalumnus

earcutter:
Talk about a loaded question! Thanks man lol! It's analysis time:
1. Define "the West." West what? West of what? You know - America, Europe.. Oh and you know Canada etc : )
2. Define "decline." Geologically? Tectonically? Hockey-ically?

Don't get me started on Hockey!! Those Russians... : ) With respect to # 2 - Economically.

Originally Posted by earcutter

Don't get me started on Hockey!! Those Russians... : ) With respect to # 2 - Economically.

OH, puh-LEASE! I'd LOVE to hear the highly-experienced and nigh-omnipotent opinion of a Kansas hockey player -- wait, isn't that an oxymoron?