3 ms·

> it’s so easy to lose ones freedom to transact How is it easy? Does your country's dictator regularly invade neighbors without so much as pretext and targets

• native_samples 5y ago
  It's as easy as reading up a bit on an experimental drug and deciding you don't need it. Pretty darn easy.
• vkou 5y ago
  I'll also mention that transactions work just fine in most countries ran by dictators who invade neighbours without pretext, and target civilians. Saudi princes seem to have no problems buying mega-yachts and futball clubs. The key is that they tend to not invade European neighbours. So, yes, if you upset Europe, and all your transactions rely on European cooperation, you may no longer be able to transact. In fact, if you upset Europe enough, and are not a nuclear state, you might even get invaded as a result. Your concerns about international financial transactions will be a bit academic at that point. If anything, this episode should make you more confident about transactions just working. The point at which they stop working is 'We've done everything we could against you, short of declaring war.'