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Varlan Allan

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Will western societies change their living habits to better suit their future GDP?

With the pendulum of economics swinging towards asia, will western societies adapt to their new GDP's or will they continue to amass huge debts to quench their enormous appetites for goods?

I believe that they will conquer the debt demon or at least transfer it to another host (asians) I can see the transfer of wealth and debt heading to asia with the major banks and insurance companies taking up strongholds around asia (Singapore, Bangkok, HongKong) Credit cards are given out like birthday invitations and the cost of consumer goods are dropping.
It is interesting to watch as well at the way asian society, which is still holds customs which reflect western society over a hundred years ago, will use its money. It is like america in the 80s fast money fast cars all the that stuff. Where will it end or will asia learn to tame this demon or pass it on to the next host more quickly?

Topics: Breakdown of Society Debt Crisis american politics
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    Feyisayo Anjorin 50+

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    Aug 1 2012: Change is usually a certainty. societies changes, the environment changes and individuals also change.
    P W Botha said "Adapt or die"

    Sometimes it takes wisdom to do leave the comfort zone; and to make difficult and inconvinient decisions. Sometimes the hard way is the only way to survive and live in strength.
    If bad habits are not changed, they will swallow the one who had been foolish enough to be addicted to them.
    There are times when leaders will be tested to know their substance and character.

  • Noah Crossfield

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    Jul 21 2012: It is a difficult question to predict. It is important to note that recent advancements in technology have made countries more productive. This is important because it may have a large role in standard of living changes. That being said, I think that it will be difficult for any country to decrease its standard of living much. The idea of austerity is a very unpopular one. I believe that Western culture will continue its life style until its credit is simply not accepted because there is little faith in western culture's money.
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      Varlan Allan 10+

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      Jul 22 2012: Yes, it's true Noah, technology advancements and information exchange have helped asian production increase and with that lowering production costs and giving the residents a higher standard of living. Again, I think the west needs to focus on how to change their habits and innovate transportation, energy and agriculture. I think that there is something nice about the idea of local energy and transportation that could be worked on.
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    edward long 100+

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    Jul 19 2012: GDP drives living habits. GDP is the cause, living standard is the effect. To bring change operate on the GDP, not on living habits. At some point this trail leads to infrangible human characteristics like greed; avarice; gluttony; hedonism; selfishness; cupidity; stupidity (short-sightedness); etc. Because Man is not self-controlled excess supply will always lead to excessive demand. A horse left with free access to unlimited oats will eat itself to death.
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    Gunjan

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    Jul 18 2012: Sir, you have aptly sensed the evil coming. I would like to put forward my thoughts on social grounds rather than on economic prospects. When economic growth in slowing down (-ve in some cases), massive debts are piling up accounting for more than 100% of GDP (Portugal, Spain etc), it is high time that this problem is debated.
    As you mentioned that European debts are being transfered to Asian markets, which are healthy enough to absorb them. but what if situation worsens in Asia. Transfering debts to Africa the only continent of hope for future expansion of Economy, will be the only solution left???
    So, the real challenge is to come out the economis model where growth or prosperity is measured by the level of consumption of goods and services. So it is ought that western societies must change their consumption levels, if not done then the World will surely be heading towards a war.
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      Varlan Allan 10+

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      Jul 19 2012: Yes, you hit it on the head Gunjan. I'm caught in the middle of all this right now. I'm living in Singapore, my wife is thai and I feel the surge here! Its scary the speed at which this has happened. Singapore as example has transformed so extremely in my five years being here that if you went to the CBD you might not recognize it was the same place. I'm equally disturbed by the fact the all that money in the hands of people who have societal values from 100 years ago(many do, under the guise "Asian Values").
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