What will the world look like in the coming decades? In his landmark book Une brève histoire de l'avenir , French economist and political thinker Jacques Attali attempts to answer that exact question. By analyzing 4,000 years of human history, Attali extracts patterns to predict the next massive shifts in our global society.
According to Attali, this merchant order has rotated through nine successive geographical "cores" or dominant cities: Bruges Venice Antwerp Genoa Amsterdam London Boston New York (the current ninth core)
Triggered by the breakdown of the Hyperempire, wars will erupt over scarce resources like water and oil. Une brГЁve histoire de l'avenir
Attali argues that human history is governed by cycles. He notes that society moved from a "ritual order" (governed by religion) to an "imperial order" (governed by military might), and finally to the current (governed by the free market and capitalism).
Attali breaks down the next 50+ years into three distinct, successive waves: 1. The Hyperempire What will the world look like in the coming decades
National governments will weaken. Massive transnational corporations—specifically entertainment and insurance companies—will effectively run the world.
Extreme personal freedom, heavy digital surveillance, and rampant economic precarity. 2. The Hyperconflict According to Attali, this merchant order has rotated
His vision is both highly controversial and deeply fascinating. 🏛️ The Premise: The 9 Waves of the "Merchant Order"
