It's rather chilly in this "brave new world"

This post might better be titled ‘Lament for an old man’.  The plain-as-the-boil-on-the-end-of-your-nose fact is that the world is changing, and of course, it always has but since the industrial revolution the rate of change has accelerated almost beyond human comprehension.  In this first fifteen years of the 21^st century I really do sense that ‘events, dear boy, events’ are getting away from us – and by “us” I mean our less than glorious leaders.  In this post I want to mull this over gently but I will do so – without apology – from a strictly British perspective.

In my extreme youth, Britain was, to paraphrase, ‘an ever fix-ed star’.  Not anymore!  The dire rumbles of nationalism emanating from Scotland and Wales, and even from the regions of England, cannot be ignored.  More knowledgeable commentators than me are already prophesy the break-up of the United Kingdom within the next ten years.  Well, so be it even if self-inflicted wounds are always the most dangerous.  England existed as a nation-state for centuries and no doubt will do so again – provided we use our intelligence and industry.

Looking further afield, of course, means looking at America, and it is here that I see, or think I see, great changes afoot.  The giant is faltering.  Perhaps I shouldn’t exaggerate because it has only been in the second half of the 20^th century that the USA has dominated the entire globe.  During much of the first half, America was a potential giant but a sleeping potential giant.  People, and I mean by that the world leaders of that period, totally under-estimated American might, so I am conscious that perhaps I am making the same error now.  But I am not measuring the USA in terms of industrial, financial and military might but in that other absolutely crucial area – morale!  If you lack the nerve or the will to lift the sword then the size of the sword counts for nothing.

It seems to me that America is becoming like one of those fabled creatures that end up eating themselves!  The divisions within the country are becoming wider and deeper and laced with genuine hatred above and beyond the normal cut and thrust of adversarial politics.  The obvious chasm across American society is the black/white divide but even if that is somehow eased and pacified then the coming white/brown schism will take over.  There are various estimates as to when the whites will cease to be a majority and the Mexicans take over but most reckon within a generation.  As I say, American is changing before our eyes and the new generations will look out upon the globe through very different eyes from their predecessors.  And all of that means that we, the English, need to remove our old-fashioned glasses and take a long, hard look at this new emerging world.

As I have remarked often before – too often? – there is ‘a new kid on the block’ in the form of a rampant, impatient, ambitious and potentially dangerous China.  There is no doubt that probably sooner rather than later the USA and China will lock horns.  Actually, it might be later if America under a government of very different ethnicity decides that it will simply pull back and concentrate solely on ‘Greater America’, that is, the whole, mainly Spanish-speaking, continent from Alaska to Cape Horn, in other words, a sort of ‘Greater Fortress America’.  That, of course, would leave China room to rampage at will.

I am not saying that is how things will be, only that it is a possible outcome.  However, there are other possibilities which I will lay out in another post.

 

Comments

[john malpas]

but by then or before the UK will be controlled by pigmented people - either marxist or muslim.
The whites will be in nursing homes - at best.

[jimmy glesga]

The likelihood that Scotland leaves the Union is a fair assessment although it is not something I would look forward too moreso as I believe the nationalist fundamentalists would give those of us Brits a difficult time if we raised our heads. Also the Nats are just lying about retaining the monarchy to obtain votes. I do believe that border controls are a certainty considering the attitude towards immigration by the Nats and lefties. I continually argued during the referendum that England would look after their own interests as they are fully entitled to do. It seemed to evade a lot minds that things would not plod on as normal if Scotland left the Union.
I doubt Wales would ever vote to go it alone mainly for geographical and economic reasons. And a final point would England have to allow Scottish and Welsh trade to pass through English territory moreso if England left the EU?

[David Duff]

Thanks for cheering me up first thing in the morning, John!

If Scotland does split, Jimmy, I doubt that our politicians will handle it well. In my view, if they want to go let them go but only on our strictly self-interested terms.

[Cuffleyburgers]

Unfortunately I think you are right and the Union will break up - not an outcome I wousld want but there comes a stage when you can't keep begging themto stay.

My view is neither party will benefit except Alex Salmon and his cronies,and this in a purely personal jobs for the boys way.

Re the USA I recommend After America by Mark Steyn. Makes for depressing reading.

[David Duff]

Hmmmmn, I might be tempted to take Steyn's book on holiday in May even if it ruins the trip!

[Whitewall]

Well, I can report that we here in the US have been trying to deliver some kind of capitalist future to our neighbors in Central and South America for longer than I have been alive. Those clowns, to be heavily descended from European societies, seem to keep falling prey to various dictators, strongmen, Communist hustlers and some I haven't thought about. I have been in and out of Latin America for good and for not so good reasons in my younger days. They just can't bring themselves to succeed even though their lands are loaded with natural resources.

[David Duff]

And, alas, Whitewall, they are heading your way in increasing numbers!

[Whitewall]

David, I wonder, did my email of yesterday manage to reach you? It might have seemed unorthodox.

[David Duff]

Yes it did, Whiters, and I replied to it. Didn't strike me as unorthodox but then I've always been a bit of a nonconformist!

[Whitewall]

David, unfortunately my computer system doesn't allow me to pick up Outlook deliveries. I have to receive incoming through the email I used to contact you. Maybe I will upgrade one day.

[David Duff]

For goodness sake, 'Whiters', shuffle into the 21st century!