Crisis Buster Tip #1: What Did Mark Twain Say about the Current Economic Crisis?

Do you know your history? If you do, you have no reason for worry, for the current economic crisis is “just” a repetition of the past.

“It is not worthwhile to try to keep history from repeating itself, for man’s character will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible.” ~Mark Twain

If you know your history, you have no reason for worry! The current economic crisis is “just” a repetition of the past.

Don’t you remember “Black Monday?” It refers to Monday, October 19, 1987, when stock markets around the world crashed. The Black Monday decline was the largest one-day percentage decline in stock market history. But all world stock markets rallied in less than 1.5 years.

Then, nobody has forgotten the 1991-1992 world crisis, right after the Gulf war: huge peaks in oil prices, a steep decline in the commercial real estate market and a credit crisis (featuring the infamous savings and loan collapses of the late 1980s).

This crisis ended in 1994 and world stock markets hit top values in less than 2 years.

Do you recall 2001-2002? The attacks had a significant economic impact on the United States and world markets. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the American Stock Exchange (AMEX), and NASDAQ did not open on September 11 and remained closed until September 17. When the stock markets reopened, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) stock market index fell 684 points, or 7.1%, to 8921, a record-setting one-day point decline.

By the end of the week, the DJIA had fallen 1,369.7 points (14.3%), its largest one-week point drop in history. But recovery came faster than expected, world stock markets hitting again unparalleled top levels within less than 2 years and continued to climb until 6-7 months ago.

So what is the morale of the story?

Crises always bring recoveries and these come faster than many dare hope. I have personally lived and survived through 6 crises in 50 years. I have grown stronger and smarter out of each of them. And so have you, I am sure!

So just remember that economic trends operate on a cycle basis. When it goes up it will go down. When it goes down it will come up. And we have not seen the last one yet… so let us get used to it. We just need to work hard at expanding, no matter what!!!

If you are interested to develop a strong understanding about the recent economic clashes, I strongly advise you to visit Chris Martenson’s web site and follow his crash course on economy. I have found this course simple and down-to-earth.

Most importantly, it gives you a very good picture of the few years to come.