Amusingly, we’re seeing history repeating itself here. In the early 20th century, while western economies were becoming increasingly intertwined, the Soviet Union stood apart. As the sole communist state, its trade connections with the capitalist world were minimal. This isolation would prove crucial when the Great Depression struck.
Unlike capitalist countries, whose closely linked economies suffered devastating blows, the Soviet Union’s closed system largely shielded it from the crisis. In fact, one could argue that the depression even benefited the USSR.
Desperate times in the West created a unique labor pool for the Soviets. To fuel their ambitious industrialization plans, they recruited skilled workers, especially from the USA. Engineers, farmers, and industrialists flocked to the USSR, eager for work and the chance to contribute to building a new society.
American farmers, with their vast experience in large-scale agriculture, played a key role in developing Stalin’s collective farms. The Dnieper Hydroelectric Power Station benefited from the experience of American engineers, six of whom received the prestigious Order of the Red Banner of Labor for their contributions.
Today, Russia is likewise benefiting from being decoupled from the west which insulates it from the economic disaster that’s currently unfolding.
The US has demonstrated (pathetically) why they don’t have healthcare (unfortunately, they’ve been demonstrating it for almost a century by now if not more), next up, they can show us why they won’t have their pensions. And who knows what will be next after that? 😂
I would guess most USians already don’t have pensions. The majority have 401ks, which are tied to the stock and bond markets. Some don’t even have those, and have to scrape by on Social Security, which was only ever intended to be a supplement to pensions.
That’s a good point, and to my understanding many pension funds are also deeply tied into the stock and bond markets (among other things). And at the end of the day they (and the 401ks, and social security, and everything else but the MIC and big capital) is going to be left holding the bag, of course…
So I should join the MIC if I want to be able to retire? Got it. /s
If the MIC has its way, you might not live to retirement. Other than that though, I suppose so?
Either that, or it might be in your interest to get out of the states before the empire really starts collapsing.
Yeah, we had tried for years to get when it was just us. But with a kid it’s that much harder.