Moribund

The Panama Papers have uncorked the geyser of middle class indignation. 

For much of its modern history Capitalism delivered prosperity and development and the only people getting a really raw deal were the workers. And, as a rule, the middle classes affected not to notice too much. 

There was a transition phase in the late twentieth century when even the proletariat seemed to be getting some of the benefits. Times were good. 

There had always been a super-rich elite driving the process, but until recently at least, the middle classes have been very much along for the ride. 

But then as the last century drew to a close the world's economy globalised rapidly, largely in response to technological change, and the middle classes have suddenly found themselves in the same boat as the hoi polloi. 

There are calls for local, national solutions to this problem. Some of these are well-meaning and some of these are...well, from Donald Trump. 

But this is a global problem - just like climate change - and local solutions simply won't cut it. 

The ethical critique as currently presented by the floundering bourgoisie is hypocritical at best. 

And it fails to recognise that just because the free of mind and free of wealth are oozing apart from the traditional nation state, does not mean these leaks can easily be caulked by legislation from within these moribund structures.