Visions of globalization: inequality and political stability

Abstract

Beginning with a literature review of globalization, economic inequality, and political stability, a series of quantitative models are presented to identify interweaving relationships. Using the knowledge gained from these models, combined with events extracted from science fiction, several scenarios of the United States are constructed. These scenarios are useful to anticipate future consequences of emerging issues, and to influence the policy making process by providing a structured environment to examine assumptions regarding the future.