Prior to 'The War', the economy of these 8 cities totalled about $2.5Bn.  Today, this total is $800M.  In real terms, the economy has shrunk to about a third of it's previous size.  In economic terms, this is a catastrophe; two thirds of societal wealth removed at a stroke.

But in real terms, do people see it this way?  Let me put this question another way;

This society, compared to a previous incarnation, is cash poor - but what are we rich in?

And another pertinent question arises.  Wars cost vast amounts of money.  Does this mean we are going to have a peaceful period of prosperity?  Perhaps?

Wars cost incredible ammounts of cash. Private flights every hour, bodyguard healing, bodyguard buying. It takes a massive drain on the economy around here. The upside to the war, the credit market has dropped incredibly!

Interesting what you say about the credit market - the gap between selling and buying prices has got bigger, so the astute can make money - BUT there isn't that much cash to go around at the moment, so the small scale speculators can't really get too involved at the moment.

The reason the economic contraction isn't too serious a problem is the infinite scope for growth with nothing more than labour required to sustain it. Growth may be slower than it has been, but it will accelerate as the new generation ranks and increases their drug-carrying capacity (which doesn't take too long).

Beyond a certain point cash is only required for investment in levels of protection, so we are poorer in our overall defence at the moment, but that too will rectify over time.

We are rich in opportunity, excitement (which has no cash value, but holds an inherently high value in it's own right). Money well spent, in my humble opinion.

Touche, ScrabbleKing, this is what I was getting at.  A lean society is a dynamic society.

Also, previously, especially in NY, literally obscene amounts of wealth was concentrated in the hands (and BGs) of the very top of the organisations.  Something that, arguably, added to the revolutionary fever that gripped the cities.

We are rich in confidence, I think - and excitement.

This is a society of opportunity now.

Had Roman, Prem and all those tops guys still been alive and we suffered a market slump like now, then I would agree it is a recession. But considering those guys had the most wealth but they are now gone the market has just balanced it self out with those who are left and their wealth. $10 - 10 people....$5 - 5 people, may look like less but in ratio wise it is the same.

Stallion - a very good point.

But did Roman & Prem take that much with them?  I can't imagine it was more than $250M between them when they went down.  Though I am sure their offspring could destabalise the marketplace if they so desired.

You have to remember that it just because Godfather Roman and Premeir died doesn't mean that they made the difference in the economy that we see now. As ElvisCole stated private flights every hour, Bodyguard heals not just for those that were defending their positions but for the attackers as well.

You have to also remember that during the war we also saw a lot of new auths as Crew Leaders were shot down. It all takes money and now we have a dip but no one will panic as it has happened before and will happen again. New blood comes in and keeps the market on it toes.