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Yet during the 1800s we were importing goods into the country. Not something a "self-sufficient" country would need to do.
Why not? Importation does not imply a need. It implies a demand. You'd have to show me that what we imported, and the quantities of those products, were indicative of a country who could not survive without the imports.
Today we import all sorts of stuff. Does that imply that we need those items, or simply that we want those items? Sure, because of the dynamics of commerce today, there are imports that are crucial. But many, if not most, are because we demand cheaper products, not because we can't be self-sufficient without them. What was different about the 1800's?
Why not? Importation does not imply a need. It implies a demand. You'd have to show me that what we imported, and the quantities of those products, were indicative of a country who could not survive without the imports.
Today we import all sorts of stuff. Does that imply that we need those items, or simply that we want those items? Sure, because of the dynamics of commerce today, there are imports that are crucial. But many, if not most, are because we demand cheaper products, not because we can't be self-sufficient without them. What was different about the 1800's?
Returning to an agrarian economy with a strong manufacturing base centered in 'practical' technology and a strong territorial army for defense would make us self-sufficient.
Are the days of the most powerful nation behind us?
Yes. Between orienting to a service economy and running out of resources, yes. The west's lifestyle is unsustainable, collapse is only a matter of time. Maybe not an apocalyptic collapse, but certainly a serious dialing down.
You asked two different questions, by the way. Are you concerned about self-sufficiency or power?
Well the nation was self sufficient before until the white man sailed across the sea and killed all the self sufficient people off and put them on reservations.
Yeah that idea that they lived in harmony with nature is such god damn propaganda.
b. self-sufficiency has nothing to do with a nation's power
Both true.
In addition, America has not been self-subistent for 100 years. In the 1800's, small family farmsteads could provide a nearly complete subsistent life; a family could build their house, grow their food, and produce their own fabrics, leathers, and other goods needed for clothing. The products they could not make or grow themselves, like metals, chemicals, and other necessities, could be had from the sales of over producing crops or animals to be used for cash, not the kitchen table.
There's no way most of us can do that now. The skills, methods and knowledge all came from long generational experience that combined with slower paced technological advances. All that has been completely lost as a commonly shared national experience.
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