[TheDude]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he Upside of Down sets out a theory of the growth, crisis, and renewal of societies. Today's converging energy, environmental, and political-economic stresses could cause a breakdown of national and global order. Yet there are things we can do now to keep such a breakdown from being catastrophic. And some kinds of breakdown could even open up extraordinary opportunities for creative, bold reform of our societies, if we're prepared to exploit these opportunities when they arise.

Homer-Dixon contends that five "tectonic stresses" are accumulating deep underneath the surface of today's global order:

* energy stress, especially from increasing scarcity of conventional oil;
* economic stress from greater global economic instability and widening income gaps between rich and poor;
* demographic stress from differentials in population growth rates between rich and poor societies and from expansion of megacities in poor societies;
* environmental stress from worsening damage to land, water forests, and fisheries; and,
* climate stress from changes in the composition of Earth's atmosphere.

[Tanada]

Is it an easy read or something you have to work at? I would be willing either way, but if it isn't a good paced book it won't find wide audience numbers.

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tanada', 'I')s it an easy read or something you have to work at? I would be willing either way, but if it isn't a good paced book it won't find wide audience numbers.

[wisconsin_cur]

It is actually sitting on my bedstand right now. I will need a break from my more technical reading soon and will enjoy giving it a read.