http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7934405.stm
As I already said on this list, this downturn may trigger reactionary social movements on a global scale. Right now, Americans are mesmerized by Obama's message of hope, but as this message will inevitably lose its traction (since capitalist hegemony remains intact and any meaningful changes are unlikely), an ugly brand of reactionary populism (against which McCain and Palin will look like wussy liberals) may rise to prominence. There is plenty of historical precedence of it.
Wojtek