"But I don't see a swift decline for the USA and nor do I see any potential for military action. The world's elite (forget about Bill Gates et al I'm referring to the "real" elite)have far too much to lose."
what do you think Japan and China are playing atm --- ? chess or tennis?
If they fight, the US 'has' to take sides - and hence so do we.
And if you think there is too much to lose -- why do you think business partners fight? Why do marriages break up? How come England and France have had so many wars?
There is always too much to lose.
There is also always so much to gain or thought to be gained.
In this particular case - Japan and China could lose face - one of the most important things in their cultures.
The US could lose influence and power ----------- omg, do you think they wouldn't be concerned about that?
By your reasoning we won't have any more wars between big powers.
Crikey, maybe I have had a few over the top thoughts in my day, but I have never thought that human nature had changed - nor had I ever thought we have seen the end of war.
This is 2014 ---------- not 4014. Give us a break, what do you think we buy guns and bombs for?
People must realise that wars can start from almost silly little things - but, once they start you can't put them back in the box --------------- and,
there are treaties -------- many of us are committed to others - Australia is no exception.
Wars start with a set of conditions - like building fuel for a fire - then they only need a spark.
Presently you have a huge fuel load -
An economic power on the rise. Hatred between 2 of the biggest economies on the planet Huge wealth disparity. Potential power shift from W to E. A global economic crisis
How much more fuel can you throw on the ground to make good conditions for a huge blaze?
This is the real world people - if you want to see how far we can go -------- read history - and you don't have to go back far at all.
Now the problem for Australia and OZ business and property is --------- we might not even have to see a war to be heavily effected -------
these people are all our major trading partners - ALL of them.
Now most of them can do without Australia - and they can probably happily do without each other.
Australia - is different ------------- we DEPEND on them.
Any interference to the status quo and we have a disaster.
