And the United States doesn't have a Zapatista-style rebellion on its hands. Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. 19th Century Liberalism spurred tremendous economic growth and helped consolidate growing national economies. But, this occurred at a tremendous cost. The horrors of an unrestricted, free-market economy in England in the 1850s inspired Marx to write Das Kapital, calling for the overthow of the Capitalist State.
History appears to be racing backward as rapidly as it is racing forward.
Privitization of state industries, agencies and assets. Deep cuts in social spending, especially in health and education. The rationalization of economic production and distribution on a global scale along the lines of comparative advantage and vast, corporate economies of scale. Wages remain low for those who still have jobs even as workforce productivity increases. Decreased power of trade unions under the pressure of economic globalization.