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.