Futurecast: How Superpowers, Populations, and Globalization Will Change the Way You Live and Work

Beltway consultant, former Under Secretary of Commerce for President Clinton, editor and columnist Shapiro foresees a ""new economic landscape"" emerging, shaped by three great ""global forces"": aging populations, globalization and the legacy of the Soviet collapse will continue to shake up every country, but the United States will keep its position as top global super power, with China in second place. The U.S., whose economic system is ""in sync with the current demands of globalization,"" maintains all the advantages in the global stage-geopolitical, demographic and military-while the economic power of European nations and Japan is sapped by over-generous pensions and other social welfare benefits meant to shield populations from globalization's effects; as such, ""economic shock and sorrow"" await ""millions of workers"" in these declining industrialized countries. Though it doesn't address the current dollar crisis or the possibility of a serious global recession, Shapiro's work is highly detailed, well researched and convincing; anyone interested in worldwide economics will find much to consider here.