Every market-oriented national economy would collapse, they conclude.

A German military study, leaked on the Internet in September, is far more pointed and alarmist than the American study last April.

“The Germans see ‘some probability that peak oil will occur around the year 2010 and that the impact on security is expected to be felt 15 to 30 years later.’ “

Let Der Spiegel Online summarize the document for us.

” ‘A restructuring of oil supplies will not be equally possible in all regions before the onset of peak oil,’ says the study. ‘It is likely that a large number of states will not be in a position to make the necessary investments in time,’ or with ‘sufficient magnitude.’ “

“The authors paint a bleak picture of the consequences resulting from a shortage of petroleum. As the transportation of goods depends on crude oil, international trade could be subject to colossal tax hikes. ‘Shortages in the supply of vital goods could arise as a result, for example in food supplies. Oil is used directly or indirectly in the production of 95 percent of all industrial goods. Price shocks could therefore be seen in almost any industry and throughout all stages of the industrial supply chain. In the medium term the global economic system and every market-oriented national economy would collapse.’ “

OK, economic Armageddon. But there’s more.

“The Bundeswehr study also raises fears for the survival of democracy itself. Parts of the population could perceive the upheaval triggered by peak oil ‘as a general systemic crisis.’ This would create ‘room for ideological and extremist alternatives to existing forms of government.’ Fragmentation of the affected population is likely and could ‘in extreme cases lead to open conflict.’ “

It seems Americans fixated on their eroding “freedoms” ain’t seen nothin’ yet.