Should We Believe in the Future?

At this time of distress and generalized doubt, we may have reached an unprecedented negative vision of the world future, particularly in the Western word. Global economy slowdown, global warming, international trade turmoil, geostrategic tensions, rising inequalities, nationalist parties accessing to power… We do not lack reasons to despair. Worst, considering the complexity and difficulty to tackle jointly all these issues, we may find it easier to adapt to consequences rather than solve them. How can we mobilize all economic agents, on the long term, on major contemporary issues.

If the news mainstream treatment often lack distance, we should remember that our time offers unprecedented opportunities in term of development and social inclusion. How can we restore an optimistic vision for the future ? Is there any indication we can rely on to anticipate further innovation and progress? Is economic performance based on the level of trust in the future within societies? Are developing countries necessarily more confident in their future than the most advanced ones? What instrument should we rely on to renew the quest for progress : technology, human capital, new institutions?