MrHola
Banned
The free market, either in its liberal or authoritarian forms, is more successful (for example, China might industrialise at the same time as Japan). There is a great deal more prosperity mid-century than in OTL. This has a number of results. First, environmental degradation happens earlier, happens quicker and has larger effects.
All the problems that environmental pessimists envisage us having to face in the next 50 years have already happened by the year 2000. The result is a declining world economy and increasing conflict between nations and peoples. Secondly, technology has become more advanced. Thirdly, the world triumph of the free market has led to greater extremes of wealth and poverty, more powerful corporations, more selfishness, and the decline of traditional cultures in the face of globalisation.
The thing is, how can we, with a POD after 1945) plausibly reach such a scenario?
All the problems that environmental pessimists envisage us having to face in the next 50 years have already happened by the year 2000. The result is a declining world economy and increasing conflict between nations and peoples. Secondly, technology has become more advanced. Thirdly, the world triumph of the free market has led to greater extremes of wealth and poverty, more powerful corporations, more selfishness, and the decline of traditional cultures in the face of globalisation.
The thing is, how can we, with a POD after 1945) plausibly reach such a scenario?