Each generation is interested in the future of the world: how events will develop in the future, and what fate is destined for humanity. The founder of the American think tank Stratfor and author of The Next 100 Years: Forecasting 21st Century Events shares his insights.
Power struggle
The rapid development in the field of science and technology, geopolitical and economic crises on our planet, it would seem, make it impossible to give even short-term forecasts. However, George Friedman, in his analytical work, offers a fairly clear picture of the future future. His predictions are based on historical experience, and he concludes that the next 100 years will be a struggle between the great powers for world supremacy.
Of course, being an American, the author gives the laurels of primacy to his country and praises the greatness of America. He recognizes that the primary task of the American state is the indisputable world authority.
At the same time, at the beginning of the century, the United States will have the main disagreements with Russia. The author also notes the growing power of the Russian state, but predicts its defeat. His opinion can hardly be called impartial, because love for the homeland forces the author to create the future he wants and give biased arguments. However, Friedman initially emphasizes that in order to foresee the development trends of the future, a creative approach and knowledge of historical facts are required.
Newly developed countries
George Friedman draws attention to certain patterns of the last century, during which empires collapsed, wars with Germany took place and the cold war between the USSR and the USA lasted for a long time. He concludes that geopolitical changes are taking place every century.
In the 21st century, Friedman predicts an economic decline in Germany, while Turkey, Japan and Poland will flourish by the middle of the century.
Despite many predictions about the possible growing authority of China in the world community, according to Friedman, the United States will not perceive this country as a competitor. Instead, America will support China to create a powerful counterbalance to Russia.
In the second half of the 21st century, due to the low birth rate, there will be an acute shortage of labor, and many developed countries will look for ways to attract emigrants to the country. Scientists will work to extend human life in order to increase their performance. Also, the shortage of labor will entail the need to create numerous robots.
George Friedman assumes that by the end of the 21st century, Mexico will become a strong and influential country with which the United States will face a serious confrontation. The cause of the conflict will be the part of Mexican territory captured by the Americans in the 19th century.
