| 7. |
Oil and gas reserves will continue to be a formidable source of political, economic and cultural power. Energy revenues will fuel a resurgence of Russian power and influence. |
8. |
Oil-exporting countries in South America are likely to become increasingly nationalistic and socialistic. Often they will nationalize reserves, extraction facilities, refineries, and shipping infrastructures and pay little or no compensation to the owners. The United States will remain the largest consumer of petroleum products for some time to come. So long as oil exists, oil will matter. |
| 9. |
Developing countries— notably China, India, Brazil and Russia— will play larger and more important roles in the world economy and global power politics. |
10. |
Pork-barrel politics, irresponsibility, a pervasive sense of entitlement and preoccupations with the next election will weaken the major democracies. More people and constituencies will expect, demand and get government bailouts for their bad choices and uninformed decisions. |
