Well, for the sake of argument, how about cash flow restriction as noted here.
When cash flow is restricted, at some point you can’t pay all your bills.
Bankruptcy is the inability to meet current obligations as they come due
A few thoughts:
1) cash flow stopping is a matter of perspective. A conservative sees it when he looks at the budget and history. A liberal may never see it but will will be forced into changing behavior but it is always someone elses fault.
2) Many things change cashflow. USSR is worth of study, it was several things coming together at the same time.
3) your "for the sake of argument" is good and leads to my corollary:
CASH FLOW AFFECT MANAGMENT (DECISION MAKING) MORE THAN MANAGMENT AFFECTS CASHFLOW.
My easiest example is if I will the lottery tomorrow, I start making stupid decisions. If I lose my job, I start making better decisions.
As a nation, we have been spending the wealth earned by prior and future generations. Easy money and stupid decisions. The cure is tough times, any takers?