Hyperinflation In The U.S. — A Real Or Imagined Threat? (+4K Views)

The comments above and below are excerpts from an article by Fabrizio Moreira which has been edited ([ ]) and abridged (…) to provide a fast & easy read.

What Is Hyperinflation?

Hyperinflation is simply inflation that has grown out of control. The phenomenon is brought about by several factors although increased money supply is often the most likely culprit.

Indeed, when monetary supply goes unchecked, the price of basic goods goes up, and the currency loses its value. So, in a nutshell, if the conditions are right out of control inflation really can happen. Interestingly, there are many roads to rapid increases in prices. Let’s take a look.

Other Causes of Rapid Inflation

1. War is one of the most common causes of hyperinflation. Investors have little confidence in a currency whose country is at war whether the war is political or economic. A loss of investor confidence can cause a rapid drop in currency values. When a currency falls quickly enough, other problems soon arise. Not the least of which is mass bank withdrawals.

2. Run on Bank Funds. If residents lose confidence in their nation’s paper notes, they often withdraw bank funds en masse. However, this doesn’t just impact the banks, it can tank an economy in a hurry.

Furthermore, given that most banks only keep 5% of their total deposits on-hand, if enough depositors request their funds at the same time it wouldn’t take long before banks run out of cash. As banks rush to sell assets and call in loans held by members, panic would ensue triggering more waves of bank withdrawals. The only way for banks to fulfil requests in such an event is to sell assets, but far below market rates, and this affects both cash and asset values.

3. Bank Closures. Mass withdrawals eventually lead to bank closures. In the past, this has led to losses so large that anyone who wasn’t quick enough to withdrawal their savings lost everything. Indeed, a similar scenario played out during the Great Depression and, as we know from that bit of history, when banks suffer the population experiences even greater turmoil.

4. Travel throughout the US Grinds to a Halt. Interstate travel is crucial for business. When travel stops for any reason, the business community is significantly affected. Firms that operate in different states may be forced to shut down, and since business is a key economic driver, the effects will be felt immediately.

How a Depression in the U.S. Could Play Out

If we were to experience an economic collapse it would happen quickly. Indeed, financial meltdowns happen so quickly that most businesses, investors, and households scarcely have time to act.

If ever the U.S. economy becomes so fragile that consumers decide their money is safer under the mattress than in the banks, get ready. It could happen in this manner.

1. Rapid Increase in Gold Prices. As the dollar loses value, gold prices will inevitably skyrocket. Since the purchasing power of gold rarely goes down, gold and other precious metals perform well in most any type of economic contraction and, as more people rush to buy gold, it will only rise in value.
2. Rise in the Price of Other Precious Metals. As pandemonium spreads and gold prices go up, the value of other precious metals will increase as well. Many investors will be in a hurry to invest in metals that do not lose value before the dollar value can get any worse. Just like in the case of gold, the rise in demand will result in an increase in precious metal prices.
3. Food Shortages. Another aspect of depressions is they often lead to food shortages. As panic sets in, households attempt to stock up on food and other products needed for day to day survival but, instead of purchasing a week’s worth of groceries, when under duress many shoppers purchase an entire month’s worth of groceries, if not more.
4. Violent Outbreaks. It’s well documented that deep recessions fuel crime. Namely, depressed economies lead to mass youth unemployment and [if] the number of idol youth grows large enough they may take out their frustrations on those around them. As basic necessities become harder to find large numbers of young adults organize themselves into groups and begin riots and looting, which almost always ends in violence.
5. Worldwide Panic. Were a scenario such as this one to play out in the States, the situation could quickly lead to recessions in other economies that do business with the U.S.. Any sign of domestic recession can, therefore, cause panic elsewhere in the world.

Who Could Benefit from Depression in the U.S.?

1. China. Asia’s largest economy has already shown a propensity to buy large sums of gold. Hence, if a major depression were to break out in the U.S. we could expect China to quickly sweep in and increase their reserves by acquiring record quantities of gold. Doing so could offset at least some of the losses that come about as a result of decreased manufactured goods demand in the U.S..

2. Russia. While once the second most powerful nation in the world, Russia’s Soviet fortunes faded away after the Cold War. However, Putin’s recent actions reveal a nation in a relentless pursuit to reclaim their former glory. His moves also show that Russia is not above flexing their military might to achieve their ends.

If the U.S. economy collapses, Russia would likely do two things: 1) look to replace US trade with trade from several other countries 2) exert their muscle first on their closest neighbors before branching out and doing the same throughout the rest of Europe. If this is their intent, military motives could explain help explain their most recent gold acquisitions.

3. Other Rogue States. Rogue states that the U.S is currently odds with such as Iran, North Korea, etc. could benefit immensely from an American depression. Given that the poor state of economic affairs could weaken infrastructure in the States, most of America’s resources would be tied up in the rebuilding process which would leave minimal resources to tend to the country’s national defense. As such, rogue nations could find themselves possessing a tactical advantage over the U.S..

Likelihood of a Collapse of the U.S. Economy

While the likelihood of an economic collapse in the U.S. is low, the current gold buying trends could be an indication that tough times are just on the horizon. That notwithstanding, there’s no immediate cause for alarm. Of course, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t prepare for the worst and for the best…

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