Seven Revolutions

Rising prices, powerful storms, severe droughts and floods, and other unexpected events are likely to play havoc with the fabric of global society.

In the wake of the financial crisis, the United States is no longer the leader of the global economy, and no other nation has the political and economic leverage to replace it. Rather than a forum for compromise, the G-20 is likely to be an arena of conflict.

This is a good article. Got a lot of play at Davos. We have been taking a deep look at the G20 for the New Seven Revs presentation, particularly looking at the top 150 words of G20 Communication. Here are some of the word clouds we generated, 1999-2007: http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3036182/G20_Communiques_(1999-2007 and 2008-2010: http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/3036001/G20_Communiques_%282008-2010%29 You will notice that the tone has changed considerably. Globalization was not mentioned even once between 2008 and 2010.

Seems to me there are a couple of interrelated ways to approach the governance revolution: (1) challenges to individual states (including discussion of failed states) and to the state as the primary actor on the world stage, and (2) changes and challenges in global governance (e.g., rise of the BRICs, or maybe BICs now that Russia seems to be under-performing).

Cities across the world are rapidly growing in response to urbanization. Satellite photos show how cities such as Dubai, Cairo, Las Vegas, Jakarta, Chengdu, Sacramento, and Calgary have grown over the course of a decade.

Prominent people around the world reflect on the communications revolution: What technology does for us, and to us, and what we can do about it.

Interactive feature on BBC that shows how the internet has spread across the world.

Article by Thomas Friedman about how the interconnected economies of today are going to handle the reconstruction of Asia, Europe, US and Arab economies. He explains how each of the economy models are breaking down, and how it may lead to a global crisis.

* Released January 2008 * Running time: 60 minutes * Description: The entire 60 minute video of "On Our Watch," which addresses the humanitarian crisis in Darfur that has been labeled the first genocide of the 21st century, can be accessed at the following web site: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/darfur/view/main.html This video examines the emerging crisis in Darfur beginning in 2003 and continues to examine the dynamics of this complex situation as a UN official presses the world to act, the United Nations makes numerous ineffective efforts to intervene, and flickers of hope emerge in 2007. This powerful and informative video is supported by web links to additional information about the crisis in Darfur. (DVD also available for $30 from web site at http://www.shoppbs.org/) * Rating: excellent ; used selected sections in class, related to conflict revolution

Great article about wealth inequality in the US with very nice figures and images that you can download.

This article compares the uprisings of 1919 and 2011. From the telegraph to Twitter and Facebook, this article truly shows how history repeats itself.

Digital information is easy not only to store but also to leak. Companies must decide what they really need to keep secret, and how best to do so

Are countries poor because they are violent or violent because they are poor?

* Filmed: March 2007 * Running time: 22:36 * Description: E. O. Wilson discusses biodiversity and the need to think about and protect the many varieties of life. * Rating: Very good * 7-Revolutions: Resources (Biodiversity and conservation)

Jim Lewis compiled a list of recent attacks on the U.S. government. Interesting point to spark conversation, but is thin on event details.

Global corporate citizenship means that companies must not only be engaged with stakeholders but be stakeholders themselves alongside governments and civil society. Since companies depend on global development, which in turn relies on stability and increased prosperity, it is in their direct interest to help improve the state of the world.

* Aired: March 2008 * Running time: 58:58 * Description: This is a very entertaining and informative program on research in biotechnology and bioengineering. It talks about present research and makes some interesting predictions about the future. * Rating: Excellent * 7-Revolutions Section: Technology

This is the full interview I shot with Ian Bremmer in 2010.

As you look at the world, how do you see water as a function of development? How do droughts and floods play a role?