Currently Humanity already has mechanisms to prevent such disasters. However, more than ever, competition for resources (scarce) and for world domination was so intense.
The current crisis in the West, is the result of its own internal problems, but also the result of changing the geo-strategic balance.
The evidence that the West is losing the weight that held until very recently, are all too evident:
- the economic growth rates are now in null or negative values;
- the growth of emerging economies (particularly BRIC) outshines any growth of the Western powers;
- western countries have gone from the largest exporters in the world, to a state of complete dependence on imports from the rest of the world;
Of course this is a result of the elimination of trade barriers coming elapsing since the 90s. The integration of the various areas of the world in international trade and improvement of means of communication and transportation, enabled the emerging countries, especially those in Asia, could place their products on the international market at unbeatable prices.
Emerging countries have factors that force companies to leave the West and relocate to these regions: high productivity, very low wages, obedient labor work and without rights or claims. The growing wealth of China and the oil producing countries allowed them to finance the developed countries, thus taking a commanding position in the global economic order.
Thanks to this growing wealth and the illusions created by the financial agencies, the world experienced a false sense of prosperity, the current crisis has proved to be a mere illusion.
Europe is struggling against a severe sovereign debt crisis, with the existence of the euro questioned. But in the U.S. the problem is not minor, with the state unable to control the debt. This has forced the country to review its foreign policy, especially with regard to military presences in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As for Brazil, this is finally able to take the role in the world of its size and its resources have long demanded: it is currently the fifth world power. However it should be noted that Brazil has benefited from rising prices of raw materials and agricultural products. When they start to fall, industry and services do not yet have the capacity to continue with this growth.
Russia remains a facade of democracy, truly ruled by Putin and by his elite. The economy has been largely benefited from the rising price of oil and natural gas.
It is clear that Russia tries desperately to recover the prestige of the Soviet era. However, it lacks human, material and natural resources enough to do so.
However, since Russia does not feel that his pride is being attacked (as happened in 2008 with Georgia), the most likely scenario is that its not constitutes a focus of concern in the world-system.
The focus of most concern is even further orient: China. For the first time in its history, China is fully integrated into international trade. In fact, the weight of 1.3 millions of inhabitants in the world economy, is truly enormous. The balance of power is now leanned to the side in favor of China.
Western countries are losing power, income and welfare to all this.
This scenario could easily implode in a conflict - economic, political or even military -.
However, the way China's self-government, is creating inconsistencies that may have harmful consequences soon. China remains a communist regime, which has tried to eliminate any manifestation, but became a capitalist economy. Therefore, China will face a recession sooner or later, which will make the people suffer more than the capitalists, contrary to the most elementary principle of the communist system. China and most Asian countries are benefiting greatly from globalization and trade liberalization: the populations are increasing their well-being.
However, this carries a heavy cost for Western countries because resources are finite and scarce.
Despite being a more equitable distribution, the truth is that whom it hurts, never reacts well to the situation.
The Western world has already protested against the opening of world markets to Chinese products. Of course, if it goes ahead, the reaction of China may not be very peacefully.
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