4 ms·

So we just need a nice all encompassing global conflict again that largely leaves the American industrial base alone and then when it is the only one standing t

So we just need a nice all encompassing global conflict again that largely leaves the American industrial base alone and then when it is the only one standing there can be another growth in the American middle class.

johnnyanmac 2y ago
Pretty much. I'm unsure if even American can escape WW3 unscathed though.
hn_throwaway_99 2y ago
This isn't an accurate take, because it wasn't just America. There are lots of post-war "miracle" stories: Italian Economic Miracle: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_economic_miracle https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_economic_miracle Japanese Economic Miracle: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_economic_miracle https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_economic_miracle Spanish Miracle: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_miracle https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_miracle Miracle on the Rhine: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtschaftswunder https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtschaftswunder In all of these cases real incomes grew enormously. Yes, a big part of that was starting from a low base after the destruction of WWII. But I'd argue it was also a strong consequence of the technology of the time: the was an explosion in consumer goods enabled by new tech, but companies still needed lots of employees to create these products. In the past ~25 years I believe tech has instead allowed more wealth to accrue to a smaller and smaller subset of people.
- BlueTemplar 2y ago
  Yes, all fueled by ridiculously abundant/cheap oil. This is something that might not happen in Earth's history ever again, not to mention the climate change issues (which at least weren't clear until much later, 80s rather than 50s for oil depletion issues).
drchickensalad 2y ago
Yeah, I'm personally of the opinion that the 50s-60s economical benefits are not generally sustainable. Similar to China's rise up until now, it's the result of a one time boom often as a zero-sum game with other parts of the world. The humans on the planet are definitely getting a more comfortable life over time, but any individual state with our current political systems I don't feel ever leads to that 50s-60s level of purchasing power for a long time.

johnnyanmac 2y ago

Pretty much. I'm unsure if even American can escape WW3 unscathed though.

hn_throwaway_99 2y ago

This isn't an accurate take, because it wasn't just America. There are lots of post-war "miracle" stories: Italian Economic Miracle: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_economic_miracle https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_economic_miracle Japanese Economic Miracle: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_economic_miracle https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_economic_miracle Spanish Miracle: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_miracle https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_miracle Miracle on the Rhine: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtschaftswunder https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirtschaftswunder In all of these cases real incomes grew enormously. Yes, a big part of that was starting from a low base after the destruction of WWII. But I'd argue it was also a strong consequence of the technology of the time: the was an explosion in consumer goods enabled by new tech, but companies still needed lots of employees to create these products. In the past ~25 years I believe tech has instead allowed more wealth to accrue to a smaller and smaller subset of people.

BlueTemplar 2y ago
Yes, all fueled by ridiculously abundant/cheap oil. This is something that might not happen in Earth's history ever again, not to mention the climate change issues (which at least weren't clear until much later, 80s rather than 50s for oil depletion issues).

drchickensalad 2y ago

Yeah, I'm personally of the opinion that the 50s-60s economical benefits are not generally sustainable. Similar to China's rise up until now, it's the result of a one time boom often as a zero-sum game with other parts of the world. The humans on the planet are definitely getting a more comfortable life over time, but any individual state with our current political systems I don't feel ever leads to that 50s-60s level of purchasing power for a long time.