This is one of the best diaries I've ever read on the site, and that's saying something given the usually high quality of writing.

What I take away from this is that the financial crisis is exacerbating long-festering political, social, and economic problems and inequalities. The sense of precariousness and hopelessness that neoliberal policies have created are causing a loss of faith in the political system and leading more to riot - but riot without direction, without a plan, without a goal. Such scenes have been played out before in Europe in recent years and the commenters are right that we're likely to see it again, and soon.

That makes it all the more important for us to articulate a clear alternative to the present policies. One of my own concerns is that the range of social democratic policies offered in both North America and Europe haven't yet adapted to the current crisis.

Another world is possible, but do we have a clear idea of what it looks like and how we can get there from here given present circumstances?

And the world will live as one