Globalize to Survive
By
William Cate
Published September 2004
[http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/]
[http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/globalvillageinvestmentclubwelcome/]
Civilization in the 21st century is in serious trouble. Modern economic models that manipulate the public's perception of the economy's stability aren't working as well as they have in the past. The cost of repairing the environment is beyond the financial and technical means of governments to do. Population is growing while resources are diminishing. Demand for a Western lifestyle is almost universal, while civilization's ability to meet that demand doesn't exist. The result will be social upheaval, political instability and economic uncertainty. The individual will be sacrificed to the needs of the government bureaucracy.
As an individual, your civil rights are subject to the whim of your government. Most people prefer the illusion of security above personal freedom. Thus, most citizens are willing to give up their rights in the belief that it offers them greater protection against the forces arrayed against their government. You can see it in the fact that it took the American Government about six weeks to repeal the Bill of Rights after the attack on the World Trade Center. The Russian Government plans to give its citizens the rights they had during czarist times, thanks to the Breslan School siege.
Governments tax their citizens to pay to maintain the illusion of national security and economic wellbeing. During the Roman Empire, the income tax rate varied from 1% to 3%. From the Dark Ages to the Renaissance, the income tax rate was usually 20%. In modern times, the income tax rate averages about 50% of your income. History teaches us that no government or civilization will survive over time. Whatever you are buying with your taxes, it isn't long term security for your family and descendants.
Business investment is risk. Governments expect their citizens to bear the full risk of creating local employment. If you succeed, you pay local taxes. If you fail, you are broke. However, those same governments will share your risk when you aren't a citizen of the country. The government won't tax your profits.
Society's values change. Religious and racial tolerance, a hallmark of the last half of the 20th Century, are the exception, not the rule in history. Too many people see Islam as the religion of terror in the West and Christianity as the religion of subjugation in the Middle East. Entrepreneurs are seen as a force for good now, but are the likely scapegoats for the coming environmental meltdown. Science and technology, the gods of the 20th century are the likely devils of the 21st century. As individuals are associated with these groups they will find themselves in need of relocation beyond their national borders. There is no group in any country that can be certain they are safe from changes in the national value system. There is no individual anywhere who can't be seen as an Enemy of the State, at some point in the future.
Even in the most repressive of societies, capital and personal flight are possible. During the Chinese Cultural Revolution, hundreds of millions of dollars fled China. Hundreds of people flee North Korea every year. Globalize your assets before your government finds the extremes of oppressive economic and social policy. In most countries, individuals can find legal methods for moving some of their liquid assets offshore. There are even creative ways of moving your fixed assets, beyond the control of your government.
Plan for the future. Otherwise, you and your family may not have one. An ounce of planning offsets a ton of future regret. Your goal should be to put your assets beyond the control of any single government and to have more than one passport. Doing so is your best insurance against an uncertain future. There are groups that are willing to help you, no matter whether you live in Mongolia or France. Find one and let them help you Globalize to Survive.
To contact the author: Visit the Beowulf Investments website: [http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/] Or, visit the Global Village Investment Club Website:
[http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/globalvillageinvestmentclubwelcome/]
About the Author
He has been the Managing Director of Beowulf Investments [http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/] since 1981 and is the Executive Director of the Global Village Investment Club [http://home.earthlink.net/~beowulfinvestments/globalvillageinvestmentclubwelcome/]