Get ready for new management

By 2010, China’s population is anticipated to reach 1.37 billion.

The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) says the next half century will see wild swings in population sizes. The population of India, if current birth rate patterns continue, will pass China’s. India could well be the world’s most populous nation by 2050, while some countries will shrink by nearly 40 per cent, according to the PRB and new research.

So, when you ponder all the riches and beauties of European and American history and culture, ask yourself who will take over and run these places in future generations?

Western nations must prepare for a future dominated by China, India and Islamic people whose rapid economic rise will soon fundamentally alter the balance of power. And don’t just believe me: this is what former World Bank head James Wolfensohn is telling anyone who will listen.

“Most people in the rich countries don’t really look at what’s happening in these large developing countries,” said Wolfensohn, who is now chairman of Citigroup International Advisory Board and his own investment and advisory firm.

Within 25 years, the combined gross domestic products of China and India would exceed those of the Group of Seven wealthy nations, he said.

“This is not a trivial advance, this is a monumental advance.”

So as many in Europe and the United States extol the virtues of birth control and abortion, just consider what many experts are saying:

“Get ready for new management.”

Myself, I married an Asian woman and I’m learning to speak Chinese. I think I’m almost inoculated.