The quote highlights the precariousness of society when facing economic collapse and the pervasive anxiety it generates. It suggests that the fear instilled by both real and hypothetical foreign threats can exacerbate this situation, leading to greater instability and chaos among the populace. This reflects how fear can be manipulated to control and influence people's perceptions and reactions.

The mention of the "collapse of the economy" emphasizes the fragility of social structures and how quickly they can unravel under pressure. James Lee Burke's narrative appears to suggest that such circumstances can create conditions ripe for turmoil, where imagined challenges become as potent as real ones in shaping public sentiment and behavior, ultimately leading to a breakdown of order.