If the US economy implodes we're going down with you

[McKenzie]

I posted this link a while ago and I'm posting it again because it possibly explains the UK's baffling support for the Iraq invasion. Given the flack that has generated over here, and the growing suspicion that economics lie at the heart of the matter, it is difficult to see any other logical reason for plunging us into this sorry mess.

The article contains a lot of useful information although some people might regard it as an anti-Imperialist polemic. My own view, albeit one that is held by a non-economist trying to pull together disparate bits of information, is that the US economy is in deep shit, notwithstanding the possible, political allegiances of the authors of the link.

A French author who predicted the collapse of the former Soviet Union years before it happened cited military adventurism as the death throes of any empire. And that is effectively what the US has created. The author I mention went on to draw parallels with what happened to the Soviet Union and what we might be witnessing now in the context of the US occupation of Iraq. I have the link somewhere if anyone wants it.

I have an uneasy feeling people. Even if Rove et al are brought to justice there is no immediate solution to the deep, structural economic problems their actions have created. The US economy is headed up shit creek and it will probably seriously damage the UK economy at the same time.

There is a saying: "The truth will set you free but first it will make you sick". This is not going to be business as usual people.

<snip>

Why, then, is Britain going to war?

Along with its nuclear weapons and permanent seat on the UN Security Council, Britain’s ability to punch above its weight on the world stage derives from the huge empire of wealth amassed by its ruling families in other peoples’ countries, the Middle East in particular.

This is why Blair’s alliance with Bush is not slavish, it is not the relationship between a poodle and its master, it is the mutual self-interest of two imperialist powers that for different reasons need each other.

The British government has made the realistic calculation that, if it does not accompany the US to war, it will be cut loose by Washington. It knows that the US would show no sentiment in converting Britain from an ally into a rival, and would be quite ruthless in cutting the British Empire down to size. For their part, France and Germany would relish the opportunity to avenge Britain’s disruption of their efforts to forge a common European economic and military policy. So, the short answer to our question is – Britain is going to war because the US is going to war.

</snip>

http://www.paulboizot.co.uk/why_war.htm

[formerrepuke]

1. Canada is closer to the US- physically and culturally... but they

aren't involved in this mess.. Their economy and ours are intertwined, but their example demonstrates that it is possible trade (in their case extensively) with us, but to go one's own way politically. Note- that many right wingers in the US despise Canada.. therefore, they must be doing something right.

[ozymandius]

2. We are watching it happen over here.

At the Stock Market Watch, our daily review of financial events sees the imbalances moving like a drunk with a maxed-out credit card.

The entire world will be touched by an American implosion. Some areas will be less scarred than others.

[McKenzie]

3. I've been reading the posts you put together

for a while now ozymandius. The omens are not good - even someone like me, whose knowledge of economics is based upon Construction Economics, can see the downward trends.

[ozymandius]

6. If I may ask

What is Construction Economics? I've never run across that term.

thanks

[McKenzie]

7. The economics of the construction industry

For example, the effect of land use policies on the property market. I originally trained in Urban Planning and Urban Design although I later trained in Architectural Conservation which is mainly what I do now.

This link will explain it better>>>

http://www.bartlett.ucl.ac.uk/graduate/programmes/msc_be/cem_overview.htm

[ozymandius]

8. thank you n/t

[bemildred]

4. Interesting, not buying it.

There is nothing rational about it, the UKs' interests lie
with Europe, and the British Empire has long since been cut
down to size. There is a certain cutural affinity between the
two nations, for obvious reasons, but Bliar is a obedient
corporate hack who cares little for the people he governs,
and that's why he did as he was ordered.

[McKenzie]

9. nope bemildred

How would his tendencies towards being a corporate hack, as you put it, persuade him to plunge the UK into the Iraq War? It's difficult to see any logical reason for doing so and the man is far from stupid; he is a Queen's Counsel for a start.

Neither does he have major ties to corporations. At least not that we know about. (the rumours about a possible seat for Blair on the Board of the Carlyle Group are very recent...only a few weeks old) So furthering corporate interests per se cannot be the reason either.

Politically, what he has done has divided the country. Any astute politician would not make the error of joining in such an unpopular (deeply so at that) war simply because he might be a corporate hack.

Doesn't make sense bemildred. Thanks for posting though...healthy debate is a good thing.

[bemildred]

10. Ok, if I admit he's not a corporate hack, does the rest of the argument

find your approval, about Europe and so on, or is that
wrong too as you see it?

[McKenzie]

11. "Great Britain" is still part of the UK mindset

that's partly the reason why The Daily Torygraph Telegraph, The Scum Sun and some other papers over here are constantly dissing the EU. The debate over the referendum brings that crowd out in droves, for example. The fact that we are geographically seperate adds to the sense of "Great Britain" as a big, world player with a glorious history. Add to that the fact that we still have a monarchy and it's fair to infer that we still have the lingering illusion of greatness that would be diminshed if we were to be absorbed fully into the EU.

And bear in mind that a lot of the anti-Europe rhetoric is promoted in The Sun which is owned by none other than Ruppert Murdoch.

http://www.davidcogswell.com/MediaRoulette/MediaBurn.html

Even quality papers such as The Grauniad sometimes have doubts over issues such as the euro. But at least they are basing their commentaries on valid reasons rather than simply dissing the EU for reasons of national chauvanism.

Incidentally, the anti-EU view crosses the political divide over here.

Thanks again bemildred.

[bemildred]

12. Thank you for your insights.

So, like the USA, they are still mesmerized by delusions
of imperial glory, at the expense of domestic needs.

Perhaps they are just enabling each other in this, like
two alcoholics telling each other they can quit anytime?

I have doubts about Texas, for instance, quite often, so
there is nothing unexpected in the British having doubts
about the Italians, say, or vice-versa.

[atfqn]

5. Thanks.

That was a really interesting read.