
Will the Future Be Abundant?
Open to Debate
The End of Abundance
Globalization, driven by the need to counter the Soviets during the Cold War, facilitated unprecedented prosperity and security post-World War II. However, the shift towards nationalist policies since the end of the Cold War is leading the world away from this path. Demographics played a crucial role, transitioning from agrarian societies to urban industrialization, resulting in periods of economic growth. Yet, as populations age and birth rates decline, the future economic landscape faces challenges. China, a product of globalization and demographic changes, now grapples with an aging population and a shrinking workforce that will impact its economic model significantly. These global shifts suggest a departure from the era of abundance towards an uncertain future.