Seven Revolutions

Rise of megacities and their challenge to states as major actors on the world stage.

A gray tsunami is sweeping the planet -- and not just in the places you expect. How did the world get so old, so fast?

Summary: The world's leading international institutions may be outmoded, but Brazil, China, India, and South Africa are not ready to join the helm. Their shaky commitment to democracy, human rights, nuclear nonproliferation, and environmental protection would only weaken the international system's core values.

Summary: The nation-state may be obsolete in an internetted world. Increasingly, the resources and threats that matter disregard governments and borders. States are sharing powers that defined their sovereignty with corporations, international bodies, and a proliferating universe of citizens groups. Comment: The article is somewhat dated, but something of a classic.

The "green revolution" dramatically boosted crop yields throughout the world, but it also bred overconfidence and complacency. Now, global food stocks are too low, and food prices are too high (partly as a result of use of food for biofuels). The article talks about declining rates of increase in agricultural productivity as a result of reductions in investment in agricultural research.

Summary: Supporters see the biotechnology revolution in agriculture as a Promethean step forward, whereas critics see it as the start down a slope to futuristic disaster. The supporters are right about the potential benefits of genetically engineered crops, but the critics are correct that the situation calls for government regulation.

CSIS Trustee gives a 30,000 view of the move from West to East. 

This factsheet at water.org provides an excellent overview of water issues

Richard Jackson's new index. Use for discussion of population and aging with breakdown of specific countries.