The end of the United Kingdom?
Yet, as in 1912 Vienna, cultural genius coexists with a toxic populism. Back then, the fatal issue was the “Jewish question.” Today a quite different but potentially just as dangerous question is being asked about the large Muslim immigrant communities in northern towns like Rochdale, where a ring of nine Pakistani and Afghan men have been found guilty of “grooming” dozens of underage girls for what amounted to gang rape. The far-right British National Party is having a field day.
A century ago, Europe was torn apart by a combination of imperial decline, ethnic conflict, and economic volatility. Worryingly, all three ingredients are present in Britain today. Earlier this month we were reminded that if you want to blow a really large hole in an American financial institution, London is the place to do it. In 2008 it was AIG. This year it has been JPMorgan Chase, which has lost at least $2 billion by selling the terrifyingly named credit default swap index CDX.NA.IG.9. The man responsible for the megatrade—which earned him the nickname the “London Whale”—has the ineffably Habsburg name of Bruno Iksil.
Like much of Europe, the U.K. economy now finds itself in a double-dip recession. Last week the Bank of England once again revised its growth forecast downward. Although (mercifully) outside the euro zone, Britain will suffer even more if the crisis over Greece escalates into a full-scale breakdown of the European monetary union. International financial crises are not good for international financial centers.
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Have the Norse decided to invade again? Or perhaps the Saxons?
Guthrum the Unlucky’s final revenge
Defenestratus on May 21, 2012 at 6:26 PM
Perhaps the end of a liberal socialist UK, yes. The island itself won’t be going anywhere.
keep the change on May 21, 2012 at 6:26 PM
Let’s hope so. England would be better off without Wales and Scotland. Here’s the map to prove it.
forest on May 21, 2012 at 6:26 PM
It depends on how the British people deal with the traitors in their political class, who have treated the UK as if it were a canvas and pot of paints with which they could create any picture they liked.
And when that day of reckoning comes, it depends who comes out on top — the collectivists or somebody of clear vision wedded to pragmatism rather than sentimental, fanciful idealism.
YiZhangZhe on May 21, 2012 at 6:26 PM
That England, that was wont to conquer others,
Hath made a shameful conquest of itself.
spiritof61 on May 21, 2012 at 6:28 PM
Englad would be better off. And Scotland would be better off alone (forced to finally survive on their own dime, they would no doubt have to abandon most of their socialism).
But America would be better off if they stayed united.
Nessuno on May 21, 2012 at 6:33 PM
“Political Correctness,” cultural relativism, and nanny-state paternalism (all core Lefty beliefs) have done terrible damage to the UK, for all the world to see.
And yet, our own Leftists march “Forward” with blinders on toward their Euro-style utopia. For example, it’s simply unbelievable that anyone would advocate a UK-style single-payer healthcare system when NICE has so clearly been a disaster.
visions on May 21, 2012 at 6:35 PM
A huge problem over there is the way their politicians are “elected.” Check out Daniel Hannon’s book. It will make you appreciate the Founders and Framers even more…
visions on May 21, 2012 at 6:38 PM
In the over-powering desire to maintain and massively expand the all powerful state, the UK crippled itself financially. They still don’t see it though – the monstrous NHS is still a sacred cow even with its death panels which will have to be augmented for efficiency much like the gas chambers were. The military has already been gutted to the point where it is little more than a small national guard stretched very thin. The entire economy is dominated by the financial services and professional services sectors. And the list goes on.
Culturally, the disaster of multiculturalism is already starting to bite and Enoch Powell’s Rivers of Blood prediction seems more prescient every day.
CorporatePiggy on May 21, 2012 at 6:41 PM
Ferguson is always a great read.
It is, however, Europe’s last waltz.
The anti-Americans deserve what they have coming…if only the Americans would not again save them. Let them all go to Hades.
Schadenfreude on May 21, 2012 at 6:42 PM
The best Conservatives over there seem to be only as good as blue dog democrats over here.
Kjeil on May 21, 2012 at 6:43 PM
One more reason, so many actually, why Europe, Canada, Australia and the U.S., last but also, will go to Hades. It’s self-inflicted.
PC will kill us all.
May lester, his master and all theirs be first in line with their heads bowed.
Schadenfreude on May 21, 2012 at 6:44 PM
The United Kingdom was never more than political/military blackmail, so its eventual breakup is to be expected.
As for England, geography aside, She died in 1945.
OldEnglish on May 21, 2012 at 6:46 PM
Good Lord, even if we could help, they wouldn’t want it. They hate us more than anyone. It’s way beyond, “those crazy, stupid cousins of ours across the pond.”
Dongemaharu on May 21, 2012 at 6:50 PM
England, and the rest of Europe, have already fallen to the jihad. Not by conquest, but by purposefully surrendering to it, by allowing unfettered, assimilated migration.
Soon, in a generation or so, the muslems will seal the deal, with rivers of blood and forced conversion – and the end of European civilization.
There will be a reborn calphate, and it will look remarkably like the Roman Empire at it’s height, even bigger though.
Rebar on May 21, 2012 at 6:50 PM
Buckle up, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride. Everything I read about Greece indicates an incoming disaster. Spain, Portugal and Italy will flounder and France will have issues too.
And there I was thinkin’ I was a gloomy gus! What you suggest is likely.
dogsoldier on May 21, 2012 at 7:01 PM
Well, and geography and economics, surely?
Why that year? What was the terminal event or cause that you allude to?
YiZhangZhe on May 21, 2012 at 7:03 PM
Not all Europeans have the collectivist, bitter and resentful mind-set, but the voice of the collectivist, bitter and resentful mind-set seems to shout loudest.
YiZhangZhe on May 21, 2012 at 7:10 PM
Election of the Labour Party, with all that followed.
OldEnglish on May 21, 2012 at 7:18 PM
Government run media, government run health care, government run…sounds familiar.
d1carter on May 21, 2012 at 7:31 PM
Thats pretty much it.
As too many people ruminate about any of the many victims groups and their whining about rights being violated, or some imaginary environmental boogeyman, sabotage is constructed under their noses.
Its already too late for them.
Mimzey on May 21, 2012 at 7:35 PM
WW2 wiped the UK out financially and morally. England lost and empire and never failed to find a role.
1945 ushered in socialism and the die was cast…
CorporatePiggy on May 21, 2012 at 7:37 PM
PIMF.
Lost an empire and failed to find a role (attrib: John Foster Dulles).
The country was literally on its knees after WW2. The socialism that followed ensured she would never get up again.
CorporatePiggy on May 21, 2012 at 7:38 PM
Ah. Was that the first year they attained power? I hadn’t realised.
I do consider the Labour party to be the most destructive force in the UK; they have done far more damage than the Luftwafte even hoped to do. Comprehensively ruinous, and still people vote for them.
The UK Labour Party — natural home of control freaks, traitors and the economically illiterate.
YiZhangZhe on May 21, 2012 at 7:38 PM
All true, but the damage was much worse than mere politics. England, to me, represents far more than geography, language, etc. It is a way of life – an identity that has powered and improved much of the world, such that the very title “English” had cultural meaning and respect – way beyond its borders.
Putting the lower classes – who have little appreciation of such glory, in total power, was the end of English identity.
PS, I do not regard “British” in the same light as “English” – anyone can be British.
OldEnglish on May 21, 2012 at 7:53 PM
Attlee
Beveridge
Wilson
And the whole cabal before Callaghan were not lower class.
Socialism was in fact a very English middle class thing in its execution.
CorporatePiggy on May 21, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Fully understood.
Hmmm, I see, although in that case shouldn’t you choose the date of universal suffrage rather then the date that the Labour Party plonked its toxic arse back-to-front into the saddle?
No need to explain. Also fully understood.
YiZhangZhe on May 21, 2012 at 8:38 PM
On the edge of disaster the Eurozone adopted a sort of austerity but left in place the regulatory, environmental and bureaucratic albatross that started their economy down to begin with.
Speakup on May 21, 2012 at 8:58 PM