Planetary Boundaries
One third of planetary boundaries have already been crossed according to some scientists. This concerns in particular to climate change and the loss of biodiversity.
Global Middle Class
The share of China, India and other emerging economies in the global middle class is projected to surpass 50% by the middle of the 21st century. The European Union and United States will shring to 10% of the global middle class consumption.
Freedom in the World
Good news: The number of countries which respect democracy and human rights has doubled over the last 50 years. Bad news: This trend is not universal and the freedom in the world has stagnated over the last decade.
Oil and Food Prices
There is a strong correlation between oil and food prices. One explanation of this “pass-through” is the rising share of biofuels in the energy mix.
Global Centre of Gravity
At the peak of the Euro-Atlantic dominance over the world, the economic gravitational center was located near Iceland. Since then, it has been moving back east closer to the fast growing economies of China and India.
Deset trendů pro nové rozvojové paradigma (2. díl)
Lidská společnost po staletí podléhala přírodním zákonům a pojem rozvoje prakticky neznala. John a Mary žily koncem 18. století ve stejně nuzných podmínkách jako lidé ve starověku. Až průmyslová revoluce odstartovala do té doby nevídaný růst životní úrovně, který se ovšem týkal pouze Henryho a jeho souputníků v „západní“ části světa. Zbytek zůstával uvězněn v Malthusově […]
Malthusian Trap
For millennia, human development has been regulated by the laws of nature. After the Industrial Revolution a part of the world has escaped from the Malthusian trap. Other parts are still catching-up.
Global Inequality
The global distribution of income looks like a “champagne glass”. 20 % of the world’s richest people get more than 80 % of the world’s income, while the poorest 20 % get only 1%.
Demographic Transition
Demographic transition is a historical shift in societies from high birth rates and high infant death rates to low birth rates and low death rates. Most African countries find themselves in the second or third stage.
Gold to Dollar
In 1971, direct convertibility of the dollar into gold ended. The market price of gold fluctuates, but the gold content of the dollar continues to decline as new money is printed.