At this point, it has become apparent that the EU has, in its short history as a governing body, constricted free trade, forced equalization of legislation upon differing cultures and created massive debt.

Politicians, the world over, are forever seeking justification to raise taxes. One clever approach to justifying a tax increase is the modern claim by politicians that one group or another must pay its “fair share.” The magic of this term lies in the implication that, somehow, until now, the group in question has not been paying its fair share.

If we have a brief look back at the Great Depression, what essentially led up to it, then triggered it, we may see some similarities to our present situation. If we then observe how the world’s governments dealt with the situation, we may possibly gain some insight as to what they will do this time and, more importantly, what the outcome may be this time.

As we all observe the Great Unraveling, the slow slide into the second half of the storm that some of us regard as the Greater Depression, an increasing number of people, particularly in Europe and the US, are asking how this will all play out. How will I know when it is time to get out?

The President of the United States has arguably greater power than any other person on earth. This power which can be wielded for good or for ill, and as history has repeatedly shown, by making a statement, whether true or not, the President can sway the population toward certain desired goals. Jeff Thomas gives evidence of this from the past and begs the question about future possibilities.

Generally, I tend not to comment on elections, as I consider them to be largely unimportant. That is, regardless of which candidate is elected, the actual outcome tends to be much the same. In most countries, the higher the office being contested, the less real difference there is between the candidates.

Today we bring you a different type of article from Jeff Thomas. As International Man has grown, more and more readers have come to see Jeff as an interesting and insightful writer on what’s coming round the bend from a geo-eco-political point of view. Following is a compilation of some of the questions he’s received directly from our readers, formatted into an interview format. Enjoy.

Whilst bullying by the most powerful nations has existed for millennia, the world has never before seen the sophisticated minutiae of dominance that we are now witnessing, universally. So, what is the logical outcome of this trend?

Back in the early 2000’s, the world was on a roll. Spending was at an all-time high, and people were drunk with the belief that the party would never end; that there was no limit to the amount that either they or their governments could borrow and spend and still, somehow, all would be well.

By the time the breakdown of the global economic system has occurred, the currency, be it the US dollar or the Euro, will have collapsed. At this stage, will the country reach a Mad Max scenario (minus the leather outfits and interesting vehicles)?

With all the study and thought that are required to make sense out of how the Great Unraveling will play out, we seldom take time to think of what it will be like on the other side. Those of us who are, by nature, long-term thinkers and/or optimistic, have a vague picture in mind of a rebirth of libertarian thinking, and a vibrant economy.

In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed as a peace agreement after World War I. Under the treaty, Germany accepted that they had caused the war and therefore were obligated to pay reparations to the tune of US $31.4 billion (US $442 billion in today’s money).

Departure from one’s country may not be the ideal answer for every person who is experiencing an increase in tyranny in his country. Conditions will vary from country to country, and situations will vary as to how each individual is likely to be affected by those conditions. However, if the individual’s negative future prospects are extreme enough to warrant relocation, the greatest enemy is procrastination.