The reason libertarians can't be of much help with respect to Russian central banking, beyond the same criticisms leveled at our own systems; That the present range of institutions are wrong to the extent that they privatize profit and socialize costs through fraud and threats on "the forgotten man". That "thin" libertarians, of which I'm, would be okay with predatory capitalism, if the game weren't fixed and if it wasn't mandatory. The leap we take is not very large; that most people can take care of themselves, and that individual self-interest, "greed" among other things, including altruism, will cause the hearth to be lit and the steel to be forged. This is all boilerplate, but I take it as stipulated. Here I stand, I can do no other, etc. Until I caught Moldbug, but that's possibly another post.
Saker was wondering if Putin really believed in Liberal Capitalism, or was just playing along. I don't think anyone really believes in it. The hidden hand guy went to work for the British equivalent of Homeland Security, and Alan Greenspan was, and then wasn't, and now is again a disciple of Ayn Rand. Putin may have the rare ability to ignore overloaded labels, and process actual facts. I hope so, a pre-Postmodern world leader would appreciated by many, even if it was just outward dignity. A PPMWL would be forced to point out the many absurdities and outright lies that have been constructed to hide the moral and financial bankruptcy of the west. Ron Paul is one such, PCR another, and many others are working here to restore our constitution. As an ideal; as a substitute for sovereignty, sadly flawed, but now completely ignored. What's needed is some Post-postmodern world leaders, who are cognizant of the idiocy of the modern jacobins and the single-minded urge to destroy everything and always without accountability. The fact that no one was ever fired, reprimanded, prosecuted or jailed (except whistleblowers) for two wars and two meltdowns has mafia all over it. Successful and powerful mafia don't go away, but accommodate or route around strong resistance, keyword strong. The meek will not inherit this world.
The reason, then, that Vlad seems impaled, although he knows his enemy's weaknesses he has to judge his support most accurately, especially his core. A commenter on the saker blog brought up that "Ivan" needs to man up, mentioning vodka bottles. I have no idea if the stereotype is accurate, having been soaked in anti-russian propaganda my entire life. What matters is can the forgotten man rise to any challenge? Even seemingly hopeless?You guys had Stalingrad, we had hurricane Katrina. If I had anything to wager I'd put it all on red. Even though I'm black (anarchy) by disposition and white (monarchy) by study and reflection. Patience is necessary, Sun-Tzu, fifth generation warfare, bluff, deception. War by other means.
He has predicted a two year downturn, no one knows how long or deep it may be. In the meantime he should consider minting golden ruble and selling at some premium, in small quantities, but to individual citizens. The central bank would still be independent (and predatory) but gold in private hands acts as a check on inflation and a monetary peg that isn't directly influenced by speculation. The only negative, that the monetary authorities can't easily devalue the currency in a competitive or coordinated (as they are now doing) manner, is actually a feature, but only if the market sets interest rates. A government mint doesn't have to use "Russia's" gold (who actually owns it or where it is correctly belongs in the unknown category until the west has a good audit). It could purchase on the open market and mint privately owned stashes on contract for a slight fee. The Swiss would probably sell their presses for a song. This may be technically "goldbackism" ala Ellen Brown, so there are hidden pitfalls, but the man said it will take two years, and you might have some fun with it. If and when the vultures descend you can just cut them off or better, raise their premium. A one ounce double-eagle with Ivan the Terrible would be awesome to replace my Pandas and Krands, that I lost in a boating accident.
