The Decline And Fall Of The American Empire

52 Replies to “The Decline And Fall Of The American Empire”

1. KevinB, thanks for an interesting set of posts. I’ve a few quibbles.
   First, though you outline the nature of diffusion, you do not explain the origin of the wealth or goods or knowledge that is diffused. I think the ability to produce goods and services and knowledge is a key issue.
   Second, you don’t discuss the fact that most complex systems have developed strong immune capacities to prevent input via diffusion. Therefore, whether it be cell walls, an immune system or ideology, a lot of diffused energy doesn’t affect the system.
   You still have not defined what you mean by middle class, and I suspect that it is entirely different from my definition. Your statement that it is a result of historical accident, temporary dislocation and trade barriers suggests to me that you mean, by middle class, merely a ‘middle income’; that is, not too poor and not too wealthy.
   That’s not my definition and in all my outlines of the necessity for a middle class in MENA, what I mean is a class of independent workers and thinkers, who are free to set up private businesses to produce wealth which they retain to invest in their business, and who are free to dissent, to question, to innovate. Nothing to do with ‘median income’. It is this mindset and activity that I define as middle class.
   I agree with you that the middle class (my definition not yours) is in trouble around the world, as political correctness infringes on free thought, and as environmental regulations and crippling taxes harms the ability of the private sector to funcion.

2. This is all very interesting, and I hope to find time to go back and read it all through carefully, but I thought there were to be no “flamewars” except by private email, and that the rules apply to EVERYONE!