Reinventing Collapse
The Soviet Experience and American Prospects – Revised & Updated
By: Dmitry Orlov
Published: June 1, 2011
Format: Paperback, 208 pages
ISBN: 9780865716858
Publisher: New Society Publishers
"A decade and a half ago the world went from bipolar to unipolar, because one of the poles fell apart: The SU is no more. The other pole - symmetrically named the US - has not fallen apart., yet; but there are ominous rumblings on the horizon", writes engineer, and eye witness to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Dimitry Orlov, in his thought provoking and prophetic book Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Experience and American Prospects – Revised & Updated. The author presents a unique thought experiment, where he describes the potential triggers for a collapse of the American economy and societal breakdown, and the possible aftermath of those tragic events.
Dmitry Orlov witnessed first hand the collapse of the USSR, and the subsequent economic and social dislocations that resulted from that cataclysmic change. The author presents the resulting events of the Soviet demise as he saw them unfolding in real time. Dmitry Orlov shares his experiences with the hyperinflation of the ruble, the destruction of the industrial base, and the transformation of the country's society in many ways. One of the author's key points is how surprisingly fragile a country's economy really is, and how seemingly small events can lead to a complete unraveling of society and its underpinnings. The most startling aspect of the book, is how Dmitry Orlov sees many serious warning signs that could lead to the unthinkable collapse of the United States economy, and its subsequent social, political, and economic dissolution.
Dmitry Orlov (photo left) recognizes the warning signs for America in the current events and the emerging trends in economics, politics, and culture. For the author, the outlook for the United States is one of potential collapse, resulting from different conditions than those in the former Soviet Union, and also with very different results. Dmitry Orlov considers the inefficiency that was a hallmark of the Soviet economy and society actually softened the blow to the general public following the demise of the USSR. The inefficiency provided a cushion of time and slow activity that created an adjustment period for the people. Because the American system is so much more efficient and time sensitive, the author believes no such buffer would exist following a possible American collapse. The author describes the various scenarios that could lead to an American collapse, and what that aftermath would look like on the ground. The result would be a complete transformation of American society to a more locally focused culture where American ingenuity could even thrive and prosper.
For me, the power of the book is how Dmitry Orlov presents an unflinching and clear eyed view of how the American economy operates today, and what could lead to a possible breakdown of all aspects of the system. The author bases many of his premises on the real world example of the ending of the former Soviet Union, and how the similarities and differences between the USSR and the USA would affect the causes and outcomes of the events. The book is not all doom and gloom, and in many ways the same daring thought experiment that describes a complete societal disaster, also offers hope for renewal and for change.
Dmitry Orlov shares his ideas for preventing an American collapse that alleviate the potential for cataclysm. At the same time, the author warns that the former Soviet Union was much better prepared for collapse than America. With this lack of preparation in mind, the author offers his predictions for how the collapse events would occur, and how an unprepared society would respond to them. The end result would include some winners and countless losers. Along with the decline in economic activity, there might also be a resurgence of family ties, local community involvement,and entrepreneurship.
The author even outlines some potential growth industries and career opportunities that would result from the massive crash events. Overall, this book is a powerful and needed wake up call for Americans that the economic, political, and social problems of the nation must be examined and addressed in a positive manner. For the author, failure to do so might find the United States in an even worse collapse situation as the former Soviet Union.
I highly recommend the thoughtful and insight filled book Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Experience and American Prospects – Revised & Updated by Dmitry Orlov, to anyone seeking a well reasoned discussion of what might happen in the event of a catastrophic collapse of the American economy. The author combines his personal experience with some intriguing insights into the American economy and culture, and arrives at some fascinating and often frightening forecasts.
Read the timely and controversial book Reinventing Collapse: The Soviet Experience and American Prospects – Revised & Updated by Dmitry Orlov, and examine for yourself the many and varied warning signs that the United States must address to avoid meeting a similar fate to the former Soviet Union. This book is an eye opener for anyone who believes that America can continue on its current course without facing serious consequences. The author provides compelling evidence that potential disaster is on the horizon, and shares some ideas to either divert calamity, or how to survive and thrive, should the unthinkable become a reality.
