Two things:1) I am not convinced that "economic stratification" leads to overconsumption.  It seems to me that if if wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few, few people will be consuming many goods, and the market could properly respond to that demand.  On the other hand, demand would be much greater if the wealth of the masses grew across the board, perhaps leading to overconsumption.2) I just reviewed this thread from four years ago and it's an interesting read.  I'm inclined to think that the danger posed by China has grown since I first responded, particularly since China holds such a high amount of U.S. debt.I also think that one of the biggest and primary threats to the West today is not external (China, extreme Islam, etc.) but internal.  The West is at risk of collapsing upon itself, if it is not already.  The moral collapse seems to have been ongoing, and the economic collapse may follow if serious change does not take place.  After that happens, then China/Islam will swoop in.