Let's face it: growth levels will not  be restored even to what they were before the U.S. led 2008 disaster. 

Meanwhile, economic and social inequality continue to increase and the much-touted "reforms" said to be required will further diminish the lives of  ordinary people.

 As Wolfgang Streeck and others point out, capitalism has now succeeded in eliminating most of its traditional opponents and is free  to proceed unchecked on its quest for more,  more and more. There are really no countervailing forces around now to change that trajectory.