The Future of the World Economy: an Hypothesis

The aim of this paper is to analyse the theoretical and practical plausibility, of an hypothesis, concerning the evolution of the world economy in the future. The hypothesis is the following: in years to come, the world will be divided in a few very large economical and political blocks (like the EU, in Europe), with the following characteristics: 1) geographic continuity; 2) cultural similarities; 3) a peaceful background; 4) a set of democratic countries; 5) internationally integrated institutions, of economic, social and political scope, that would tend to build, a single currency, a common market on goods and services, free movements of people and capital, and common social active policies,. The paper begins with the enunciation of some relevant political, social and economic ideas on the political evolution (1.1), the economic development (1.2), the economic integration (1.3), and the economic stability (1.4). Secondly, and having in mind the previous theories, the last century history (2.1), and the current situation (2.2), will be analysed. Then, a forecast of the future will be presented (3) rooted both on the mentioned theories and on the described facts and figures presented in 1 and 2. Finally, a discussion will be made with reference to the problems and difficulties that lie ahead in order to accomplish the mentioned scenario (4.1), and also on the forces that, more or less discretely somehow drive the world in the mentioned direction (4.2). The paper ends with a brief summary of its main ideas (5). Acknowledgements – This paper follows a PhD Thesis in Economics successfully