5 Biggest Risks the World Faces in 2012
Every new year is a fresh start, but unfortunately, the world does not reset its problems on January first. 2011 was a rollercoaster of a year in terms of politics, economy, and geography, and you can expect these problems to return full-force in the new year. Whether or not they will be solved remains to be seen, but keep a lookout for these risks in 2012, and how they'll shape all of our futures.
Income Disparity
World politicians and business leaders have this problem in common. With the world economic crisis still in full power, income disparity has been occurring all over the world. We've seen this issue at play in many of our cities in the United States, as Occupy movements struggle to inform the politicians that income disparity must be addressed. These signs of discontent will not disappear in 2012; if these problems are not dealt with, a dystopian society may be in the cards.
Reduction of Government-Run Social Protection
One of the biggest risks associated with the world economic crisis is the reduction of government-owned services. These services include pensions, social security, and other social protections that the government has provided for generations. If the world economy does not improve or if our leaders do not take the initiative to resolve the crisis, the citizens of not only the United States, but of other developed nations may experience a dramatic reduction of protection services because governments will no longer have the resources to provide them. Imagine a world without pensions for our elderly. If situations do not improve, this world may be a close reality.
The Dark Side of Globalization
When Japan experienced its horrible earthquakes in 2011, it quickly turned into a global, not just a national, disaster. Japan's destruction was unprecedented, and the earthquake sent economic ripples throughout the world, because the destruction in Japan meant losses for every developed nation connected with Japan. In 2012, let's hope that programs are put into effect to combat the repercussions that would occur if a disaster of these proportions happened again.
World Political Rebellions
You may think the most important political decision of 2012 will be for the president of the United States, but in 2011, the issue of world politics took center stage as rebellions sprang up all over the world. You can expect this to be a huge theme of 2012, as the consequences of these rebellions play out not only in the countries in which they brewed, but also in the countries that offer them aid or condemnation. Expect our own president to be called upon to make decisions as to where the United States stands in regard to foreign rebellions of our allied countries.
Severe Global Recession and Economic Crisis in Europe
The worst may not be behind us in 2012, what with the immense economic crisis still in full force in Europe. Many European countries are either bankrupt or in deep financial crises, and these crises will undoubtedly resonate throughout the globe. We can only hope to reverse and therefore end the fiscal crisis before it destroys the world economy, but otherwise, it is a risk that will be ever-present in 2012.
