Analyzing the Global Problems of the Twenty-First Century. A Review and Forecast Based on the Report to the Club of Rome ‘Come On!’

Abstract

In the last third of the twentieth century, global problems came to the fore. Many of these problems remain relevant today and have become even more alarming. This is especially true with respect to the climate change. The twentyfirst century is called the ‘century of globalization’ since from the very beginning it turned a period of turbulent, violent and unexpected events. In most societies and in the World System in general, the extensive new political, economic, ideological and other processes have already manifested themselves. The world is on the eve of serious transformations since globalization makes change the priorities, forcing to reconsider approaches to many problems and their solutions. In this context, it is crucial to understand and evaluate the course of human development. The present article provides a brief overview and analysis of the report of the Club of Rome ‘Come On!’ The Club has long been known as one of the centers focusing on the research of global problems of the humankind and their reports give impetus to the discussion of developmental strategies of societies. The report has been written by the current presidents on the occasion of the Club's anniversary and it has undoubtedly become one of the key events in the work of the Club. In the report, the authors seek to show the threats that have emerged by the end of the second decade of the twenty-first century and the ways to solve problems common to all humankind. This article analyzes the main problems, postulates, forecasts and proposals of the report, and presents the authors' ideas concerning the most important points of global development and future processes. We also argue that the twenty-first century is characterized not only by the global problems inherited from the previous century, but also by its peculiar emerging global challenges that used to be of local or country-scale. In other words, globalization transforms local and regional problems into the global ones.