Though it was long before my time, the 1929 Collapse of the Economy leading to the Great Depression seems to be referenced in economical circles lately. I would think the Governments in most Industrialized nations are as concerned as the people suffering now and those yet to feel the crunch.
I see there's a big International Meeting in Washington today in the apparent effort to figure out warning signs prior to crashing markets?
Link to info on the Great Depression:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression
RSF