I really resonate with TheChosen's last paragraph!
However, interesting starting places for those in the UK who want to compare The Chosen's list of stages in social breakdown with what our legislators have planned for:
1. the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (where the only piece of legislation it does not supercede is the 1998 Human Rights Act)
2. Defra
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Contingencies_Act (OK so it's wikipedia but I find legalese as foreign as French!)
www.defra.gov.uk/foodrin/foodspon/default.htm
Piers, didn't you used to be a lawyer?
Please note UK legislators and PTB are not necessarily the same thing!
love to all