What if this economic downturn occurred in the 80s

[crazy canuck]

I heard a news piece about workers in France kidnapping/threatening their bosses.  It got me musing about the lack of communist/socialist rhetoric from the left in Canada during this economic downturn.  During the short lived crash of 89 I remember calls that capitalism was at an end and various communist groups were eagerly awaiting their time in the sun.

But now those groups are all but gone.  Economists talk about how capitalism will have be done differently (usually referring to more regulation of some sort) but nobody is really calling for a whole new system to take its place.  There is no one left to do that  - the communists are all gone.

But what if this had happened 20-25 years ago or perhaps more to the point what if there were still active organized communists still around.

[Darth Wagtaros]

More violence and more threats of war by the disintegrating Red Bloc.

[Caliga]

We would have burned our DeLoreans for firewood?

[The Brain]

Probably the Dino cavalry created in the beginning of Reagan's third term would come into play.

[Malthus]

If this recession had occurred in the '80s ... I certainly wouldn't have chosen "anthropology" as a major. 

[Weatherman]

If this recession had occurred in the '80s ... I certainly wouldn't have chosen "anthropology" as a major. 

Basket weaving then? You would've been able to get a job at Longaberger. 

[Savonarola]

It's hard to say; could we get Tim to make some maps for us first?  That usually helps bring alt-history to life.   

[Caliga]

Well, that didn't take long.  Let's just cut to the chase:

1.  [insert name here] is worse than Hitler.
2.  North > South.
3.  Lettuce is stupid.

[garbon]

What if I had happened in the 80s?  Oh, I did.

[Admiral Yi]

The US didn't have active organized communists 25 years ago and I think Europe still does.  Might be a Canada-specific observation.  Either way there wouldn't be much difference.  As long as a broad consensus exists in favor of private ownership of the means of production a minority, no matter how well organized, is going to impose its will.

[Martinus]

What if I had happened in the 80s?  Oh, I did.

After that, I don't think the world could have coped with another calamity, such as the recession.

[Admiral Yi]

Good catch Mongers.  I meant the opposite.

[garbon]

After that, I don't think the world could have coped with another calamity, such as the recession.

Just over 4 years later, the Berlin Wall fell.

[Razgovory]

I thought there was a major recession in the 1980's.

[Tonitrus]

I thought there was a major recession in the 1980's.

Me too, the one that a charismatic new president came in and "fixed", with a subsequent massive increase in the federal debt.

Oh wait.....