There are two important recessions going on in the world today. One has gotten enormous attention. It’s the economic recession in America. But it will eventually pass, and the world will not be much worse for the wear. The other has gotten no attention. It’s called “the democratic recession,” and if it isn’t reversed, it will change the world for a long time.
Interesting observation by Freidman. The correlation between energy / oil and Democracy /autonomy ought to be obvious.
For me personally, the lower the price of gas, the less i am dependent on my job. When prices were low, I could afford to drive around and look for a job and even job shop through a temp agency. Now that prices are high, I have to stay close to home if i am going to take a low pay job. This also gives me signifigantly less bargaining power as a worker. as this is likely to be the case for others, the effect is multiplied.
Interesting though is the thought that people in poorer countries are less dependent on cars. This could mean that they are relatively less suceptible to this effect.