I have been a reader of James Kunstlers book for some years now.
His theme is that America is heading for a long disaster.
First it was due to the peaking of oil production which he always said
was no more than a symbolic start to the problem.
His main argument is that America's building of suburban America was
unsustainable and together with buying everything from other countries
will ultimately fail and would result in "The Long Emergency" the title
of one of his books.
Note of course he writes only about the US but I can see the
similarities to Australia but the lucky country will be somewhat better off.
This link is to his latest blog which may enable us to see their future
and take it as a warning.

http://tinyurl.com/y7u68ovm

Try your local library for a copy of World Made by Hand his novel
about America after the collapse. A very interesting insight how
American small towns survive. If it is not there, search his name
and they can borrow from other libraries.
Very current, in view of Targets closing.
ps if any of you are readers of Kunstler I would like to hear your comment.

To be honest Bazz, some might want to discuss Mr Kunsttler and his book about Yanks, but for me its just another big yawn. Is this book in the 50 cent bargain bin at Target? Good luck with it anyway.

Good thread idea Bazz.

I think a lot of western countries are in a similar boat.

I would like to think it is not a decline, but more of an era where we need to think about the strengths and weaknesses of our past, and how we can apply our best aspects to future needs.

I don't see Australia in disrepair, but I do think we will need a dramatic change to ensure we remain a fair and decent society.

Of course, this is hard for western countries, as our economies face much greater pressure from the advantages evident in developing countries.

If the challenges prove beyond repair, then it may well be that Australia will have to reverse some of the policy norms they have accepted in recent times.

If not, then our way of life may be decimated with many who will lose out (and already are).

"Living in The Long Emergency" is Kunstler's
latest book. And its a unique and timely
expose of how the lives of everyday Americans
are being transformed for better or worse.

An interesting read for those interested in
American affairs.

Yes Foxy, I think Kunstler is very pessimistic but probably accurate
if that is not a contradiction.
I would think the US would go part way towards Kunstler's vision but
the story around the small town doctor trying to treat his patients
with 20th cent knowledge and 19th century facilities would be of
interest to doctors, and their patients.
The way that various trades and shops in the town made do one way or
another as much manufacturing had disappeared and the US government
had largely ceased to function.
The point of the book, is not why it happened but how the people were
able to still live and work around it all.

Chris, perhaps this whole Carrona virus problem may cause a rethink but
if the startup is smooth I don't think much will change.
There should be a rearrangement of our trading connections but I would
not bet on it.
Might cause a war if we were to ban the export of baby formula tins.
You never know what a uprising by mothers in China might trigger.

Still seriously, there must be a lot of room for expansion in India
of their high tech manufacturing at good prices.
However that would just be changing from one unfriendly source to
another perhaps unreliable source.
How do we return to our own manufacturing without a major regime of tarrifs ?