Are Americans Ready to “Storm the Bastille?”

by Brian Maher
Daily Reckoning

Why did furious revolutionary tantrums seize France in 1789? And do they afford us a frightful glimpse of the American future?

Today we glance backward… in the hope it may help us look forward.

From yesterday’s reckoning (and our co-founder Bill Bonner):

By the 18th century, France had become the greatest power in Europe, the richest and most populous country in the western world, and the clear leader in art, science, philosophy, education, cuisine, fashion, architecture…and, of course, viticulture. It had the richest people in the world, the prettiest women, and the best booze.

It also had the most enlightened economists – the physiocrats – from whom Adam Smith was boosting some of his best ideas.

Continue Reading at DailyReckoning.com…