History: its message is as unpalatable as it is clear

[rcjordan]

By now the aftershocks of the 20th century's great wars have faded. Top tax rates and union membership are down, communism is defunct, and globalization, however reviled, is (still) in full swing. The four levelling forces will not return any time soon

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2017/02/scheidel-great-leveler-inequality-violence/517164/

Small bandage: Basic income

[rcjordan]

data capturing the woes of the once well-heeled South American nation

http://www.vox.com/world/2017/2/22/14688194/venezuela-crisis-study-food-shortage

<added>
Another one to watch: Puerto Rico

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-see-painful-budget-measures-warns-federal-control-board-n724076