Hidden Government Plans

RogerCO · Post by **RogerCO** » 05 Jul 2005, 19:13

Back on the subject of 'secret' government plans, I think there is some evidence of at least some contingency thinking in parts of the civil service.

I can't find the link right now (wrong PC) but I came across a presentation given as part of some conference that was by someone associated with both Imperial College (I think) and Civil Service outlining various scenarios for demand management in case of fuel shortage.

Reading between the lines it implied that there are some quite detailed plans, like 200+ key petrol stations identified to be protected and given supplies to be served only to 'key' users.

Did anyone else see this; if not I'll root around for the link.

The UK Civil Service is pretty good at some of this sort of stuff; if only so that when a new government comes in they (the Civil Service) can hit the ground running with their new 'masters' by pulling out a ready-made plan to meet the new minister's political objectives - heavily diluted by the mandarin's own objectives of course - see "Yes, Minister"

I wouldn't count on it though!

fishertrop · Post by **fishertrop** » 05 Jul 2005, 19:38

Yes I did read something similar to that not long ago, I think it was entitled something like "gov prepares contingency plans for a future fuel crisis" and was pitched to combat a rerun of the 2000 protests.

The article struck me has having an awful lot of "muscle" for dealing with just a bunch of protesters....

Like you I can't find the specific link I have in mind either!

fishertrop · Post by **fishertrop** » 05 Jul 2005, 19:45

It might be in here somewhere....

http://www.ukresilience.info/sitemap.htm

WELCOME TO UK RESILIENCE

This is the website of the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office. It provides links to government and non-government sources on a wide variety of emergencies and crises that can affect the UK, plus emergency planning guidance and government information.

Lord Beria3 · Post by **Lord Beria3** » 01 Sep 2010, 23:09

Our debates don't change much in 5 years!

snow hope · Post by **snow hope** » 02 Sep 2010, 08:46

Lord Beria3 wrote:Our debates don't change much in 5 years!

A strong sign they are still very relevant!

MacG · Post by **MacG** » 02 Sep 2010, 09:07

I have developed my thoughts in these five years:

Give me ONE historical example on a ruling elite which has managed to keep its priviliges in a collapsing society.

Anyone?

Guessed so. I would dare to guess that the elites are the very FIRST to lose their positions (and sometimes heads) when a society goes belly up.

lurker · Post by **lurker** » 02 Sep 2010, 11:10

Give me ONE historical example on a ruling elite which has managed to keep its priviliges in a collapsing society.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/ro ... e_01.shtml

Im sure I read some where that alot of the the roman landed gentry did keep power after the roman empire collasped & merged & inter married with babarian chieftians etc to form the new landed elites. Alot of wealthy greek byzatine families were given jobs in the ottaman empire's administration.

Old money is very resillient think of the current gentry we have in the UK that traces back to the Normans. Was a interesting program on telly recently how the normans made the doomsday book not to collect tax but systematically dis-owned anglo Saxon gentry from there land. But i don't think that is standard for most collaspes.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 02 Sep 2010, 13:47

snow hope wrote:
Lord Beria3 wrote:Our debates don't change much in 5 years!
A strong sign they are still very relevant!

Indeed, I would say inertia plays its part.

Add in the coming fallout from the bailouts and being five years nearer several brick walls of resource constraints, some of which will be giving way at any moment...

Ludwig · Post by **Ludwig** » 02 Sep 2010, 13:56

MacG wrote:I have developed my thoughts in these five years:

Give me ONE historical example on a ruling elite which has managed to keep its priviliges in a collapsing society.

Anyone?

Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean our ruling elite doesn't have plans.

After all, some of the plans have already been implemented, viz. invading energy-rich and strategically important countries in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Ludwig · Post by **Ludwig** » 02 Sep 2010, 13:58

lurker wrote:
Give me ONE historical example on a ruling elite which has managed to keep its priviliges in a collapsing society.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/ro ... e_01.shtml

Im sure I read some where that alot of the the roman landed gentry did keep power after the roman empire collasped & merged & inter married with babarian chieftians etc to form the new landed elites. Alot of wealthy greek byzatine families were given jobs in the ottaman empire's administration.

Excellent point. Also look at China - it has a history of periodic revolution, but its civil service has largely remained intact throughout that history.

MacG · Post by **MacG** » 02 Sep 2010, 14:38

Ludwig wrote:
MacG wrote:I have developed my thoughts in these five years:

Give me ONE historical example on a ruling elite which has managed to keep its priviliges in a collapsing society.

Anyone?
Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean our ruling elite doesn't have plans.

After all, some of the plans have already been implemented, viz. invading energy-rich and strategically important countries in the Middle East and Central Asia.

When considering the blinding success these plans have become when implemented...