Euro Area

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Let's assume this is all true.

Power, however, is relative. Who then, do you think, would rule the world if not Europe, the US, Russia and China? Liechtenstein?

South America, look at Brazil: developing and largely stable democracy, growing population, largely quite young, and large untapped natural reserves.

The US, by contrast, is largely tapped out on the resource front, has an aging population, and overburdened state and a falling birth rate.

China has a powerful economy, but not per capita, a large democratic deficit and a demographic time bomb that will hit when all those young men realise there are no women fro them to marry and procreate with. Like the US it is also largely tapped out on the resource front, which is which is it why imports massive materials.

Russia shares a border with China, had limited natural resources remaining, a large democratic deficit and a growning and decrepit infastructure whose modernisation is hampered by rampant corruption and cronyism.

Europe, seperately or as the EU, has all the problems of the US (including rising religious fundamentalism) and a democratic deficit.

Whatever the shape of the future, it won't be what we are expecting, but if Europe wants to be powerful again then she will have to go to war and take something from someone else. As you said, power is relative - it is also zero sum.

[Louis VI the Fat]

if Europe wants to be powerful again then she will have to go to war and take something from someone else.

Excellent. I propose you take Australia and we take the Sahara. Each ten million square kilometers of desert with a narrow strip of habitable land near the coast.

If the Germans want in too we'll keep 'em down together. We'll overcome any Yank objection by dazzling them with our culture, to which they in the end secretly desire. They'll be in our camp.

But does China sleep this time?



Louis - Gah! I'm so good at plotting global domination! Why oh why wasn't I born in my beloved nineteenth century?

[gaelic cowboy]

But does China sleep this time?

Sleep they will indeed do Louis sure there in a massive ponzi scheme, when looked at from Ireland all the hallmarks are there it's pretty obvious really.