How long...

[Mich the Tester]

I agree it probably won't. Different sections of the populace are getting angry for entirely different reasons, there is pretty much a left/right split on public spending.

I am somewhat cynical of "popular uprisings" in any case as they either seem to be led or hijacked by some individual or group that does not wholly have the interests of the populace at heart. Early days, but not many encouraging signs from the "Arab Spring" so far.

That's precisely why all this concerns me; if the people running the asylum can't get a grip then the loons will take over.

[xoggoth]

I agree it probably won't. Different sections of the populace are getting angry for entirely different reasons, there is pretty much a left/right split on public spending.

I am somewhat cynical of "popular uprisings" in any case as they either seem to be led or hijacked by some individual or group that does not wholly have the interests of the populace at heart. Early days, but not many encouraging signs from the "Arab Spring" so far.

[doodab]

As Max Keiser points out, the power is with the people, they are just too comfortable to bother.

They will bother when they are no longer comfortable. The continentals will have a political sea change. The UK will descend into criminal anarchy.

[Pondlife]

Give them bread and circuses...

So the real question on everybody (elses) mind is who next to be booted off xfactor and will the Downton Abbey box sets be out for xmas

[MrMark]

We do seem to be in an experiment at the moment. How much more BS and money handed over to banks can the public endure?

[suityou01]

...before Europe's voters demand an end to the merry go round of financial markets that's been dominating everything for the last 4 years?

Serious; I don't want to see the market economy destroyed, and certainly not replaced with socialism, but I sense that at some stage, the reasonable, middle ground people who vote for reasonable, middle ground parties are going to lose patience, and the whole system will be brought crashing to the ground by the sheer force of enough people getting angry enough.

I have to wonder; is the western world on the brink of revolution, or will all this mess be quietly sorted out by competent, adult people (as I hope, but fear it won't).

Ah the peasants are revolting.

As Max Keiser points out, the power is with the people, they are just too comfortable to bother. If for example we stop buying coca cola, then coca cola go bust. Simple vote of the feet. It's just we like coca cola and can't be arsed.

So, in answer, apart from a few rallys and protests with a bit of kettling, I can't see any major revolt.

[Mich the Tester]

...before Europe's voters demand an end to the merry go round of financial markets that's been dominating everything for the last 4 years?

Serious; I don't want to see the market economy destroyed, and certainly not replaced with socialism, but I sense that at some stage, the reasonable, middle ground people who vote for reasonable, middle ground parties are going to lose patience, and the whole system will be brought crashing to the ground by the sheer force of enough people getting angry enough.

I have to wonder; is the western world on the brink of revolution, or will all this mess be quietly sorted out by competent, adult people (as I hope, but fear it won't).