I think that we have the power to create our own future reality. Its probably inevitable that this country will see large changes in its future, given that the whole 'world game' is changing so fast with factors like population, climate change, and technological expansion, resource depletion, economic instability. I forsee concepts like the nation-state perhaps becoming secondary to a global effort to deal with worldwide obstacles posed by our rising oceans and possible water shortages. I believe things can and will get better for humanity, but that it may take a few shocks along the way to motivate people to work towards creating an improved planetary situation. The good news is we have the resources technology and knowhow to provide for all human beings at unprecedented quality of life (people don't have to starve). The trick is to make it obvious to people that it would be possible and worthwhile, and the best use of our time.
The news generally doesn't report the positive possibilities, the coalitions of all kinds of people working towards solutions, people coming together and awakening to a more compassionate state of being. The news usually only report things that will appeal to peoples basic fears in order to keep them glued to the TV set and keep those advertising dollars coming in... So its not an accurate picture they paint, thankfully.
Before the nation-state and the empire (like USSR, China, USA, Germany) as a way of life, there was the city-state (places like Rome, Troy, Alexandria and Athens as governing bodies) and before that the paradigm was villages and regional tribes, so it appears that history is aggregating humans into ever larger groups as time goes on. The next step in the progression would logically go beyond the nation state, into some kind of globally conscious mode of operation. I see no reason why we would stay 'stuck' in the 'competitive nation-state' mode after a history of such consistent development, or why humans would argue indefinitely over an earthly abundance that we can all partake of. The coming future will be outside of the current paradigm, and much of the language we currently use to describe it!
Stay positive!
ZE
Hope that helps.
A good book ive beenreading is called 'worldchanging, a users guide to the 21st century' and it is basically and encyclopedia of ways that people are working to improve buildings, design, politics, and planning to create a better global future for humankind. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to participate in creating a more hopeful planet.
Stay positive!
Zach
