The collapse has been happening for about 7 years and has about 10 years to go. It will not respond much to the machinations of man, only time can help.
So far it’s been fairly mild compared to the possibilities. We probably have a rougher period in our future before things start to get much better, around 2022-2025.
In my very humble opinion, the crash started when we left the gold standard in the 60’s. We’ve had fiat currency since then. When government is able to print currency at will and go on unchecked with (literally) no budget, I say the crash is in process.
You can’t go by me, I’m no economist, but I think the first step is establish a limit based on something (oil reserves plus gold plus x?), who knows.
As we stand, the regime du jour is able to print money and benefit those that keep them in power.
I don’t think it will be a precipitous thing, it’s happening now.
stretching it out makes it worse really, see The Great Depression
Letting it happen fast and then getting back to work is what should happen