The social systems of the welfare and social states of the Western world are heading towards collapse. Many are already at their end and are being maintained only through budgetary tricks and fraudulent manipulations. The prosperity of industrialized nations has consisted for about three decades largely of mere appearance and illusion – specifically, of capital consumption – and stands on the muddy ground of a vast sea of debt. It is only a matter of (relatively short) time before this facade collapses. Whether the collapse will be accompanied by rampant inflation or sharp deflation (or both in succession), and whether it will lead to a years-long marauding recession or a severe depression with successive state bankruptcies, are open questions. It is clear that the Tower of Babel has come to an end, and the industrial.