The rise of “woke” thinking and digital currencies are among the warning signs that Western civilization is on the verge of collapse, according to investor and expert Doug Casey.
Casey’s book “Crisis Investing” topped the New York Times nonfiction list and focused on the looming crisis facing Western civilization.
In subsequent books and podcast interviews, the veteran speculator has focused on signs he sees as warnings, based on his study of historical events such as the fall of ancient Rome.
He told DailyMail.com that there are now seven clear signs that he believes show that Western civilization is about to end.
He said: ‘I am unhappy about the dismantling of Western civilization because it is by far the best civilization in the history of the world.
“It’s actually the only civilization in the history of the world that even matters, honestly.”
Casey believes that there are important lessons to be learned from the fall of the Roman Empire, which occurred after the Romans expanded not only by sea but also by land, causing the empire to experience excessive taxation and inflation.
Experts such as Professor Joseph Tainter of the University of Utah say the fall of Rome shows that over-complexity can lead to collapse.
Could Western Civilization be on the brink of total collapse? (Stock Image)
One of the warning signs is that Casey believes that free thinking is central to Western civilization, but is currently being washed away.
Casey said: ‘Free thought, which is actually unique to the West, is being washed away by culture, political correctness and thought crimes.
‘Free thought is washed away, followed by freedom of speech.’
Casey said other warning signs include the demise of free markets: The fall of Rome spurred growth in the state.
He said: ‘People who believe in the state believe in coercion, and they believe that the government has the right to direct these things. That is also on the rise.’
Figures confirm Casey’s ideas: over the past hundred years, government costs have risen from just 5 to 10 percent of GDP to 40 percent and even 60 percent in countries such as France and Italy, according to Cambridge research.
Casey said there are many parallels with the fall of Rome, where power became increasingly centralized and former soldiers became recipients of benefits.
He said: ‘After wars, especially the Punic Wars, the Yeoman peasants who went out to defend the interests of the Republic came home; their farms were in decline and bankrupt, so they had to move to the cities where they received benefits. There are many parallels with this in the modern West.’
Power became more centralized and more Romans left the empire, leaving the Roman Empire vulnerable to collapse.
Casey said, “It’s the second law of thermodynamics: everything comes to an end and becomes corrupt.”
Other signs that Western civilization may be coming to an end include the fact that the concept of individualism is also being eroded today, Casey believes.
Does the fall of ancient Rome hold important lessons for the West?
Casey said, “If you thought individualism is a good thing, you call it antisocial, because in the age of identity politics they should not be seen as individuals, but as members of a racial group. or other similar group, if not race, gender.”
Casey believes another major sign is that rationality is being washed away as it is seen as ‘too white’, along with science and logic.
Speculator Casey’s book ‘Crisis Investing’ topped the New York Times nonfiction list and focused on the looming crisis facing Western civilization
Casey said, “A lot of these people in today’s world hate progress because it naturally leads to inequality, because not everyone is as strong or smart or honest as other people, so they don’t like that. really washed away. That is the danger of this era of safe spaces.”
The erosion of the idea of property rights – in an age when everything from cars to smartphones is rented rather than owned – is another important sign, Casey warns.
He said, ‘You heard this from the people in Davos. You own nothing, you are happy, and you get a guaranteed annual income with three beds and a cot. So property rights are being washed away.’
Another sign is that cash is left behind.
Casey said, “With cash you can build wealth on your own, privately. And what appears to be hitting the runway are central bank digital currencies, CBDCs.
‘If they are put in place, there will no longer be any privacy about what you own, what you buy, what you sell. Everything will be known in a very powerful computer, especially with AI. This is becoming much more ominous than at any time in the past. So if you believe in privacy and individualism, the CBDC will pay the remainder.
The latest sign is that the rule of law is disappearing, Casey said.
Instead of laws, there are ‘millions and millions’ of micro-regulations. He said: ‘There is no longer the rule of law with millions of laws and regulations. It’s an illusion.’
Casey said he is “sorry” that America has been “washed away.”
He said: ‘It happened to the British Empire. I’m really sad to see America being washed away, and the things that America was there, because America was really unique.”
Casey said a lot of people say he’s a “doom and gloom” guy, but he’s actually optimistic about the longer term, and believes the human race can expand and conquer space — but only after the collapse of what’s here is now.