Yes, some references would be good. BUT from my own general reading of history, I can see where Craig is coming from. Countries/empires as they fall off their perch at the top don't go quietly. They wrestle with their demons, initially the outside ones. But as things get worse, the fighting towards inwards as the elites attempt to at least keep their own wealth and power at the public expense.
I certainly see this in the english speaking world. I suspect europe is no better off giving its indebtedness from the socialist undertakings they embarked on after WWII. Europe is also infected with the central planning/control dream historically and that hasn't succeeded anywhere for any lenth of time.
