Global Centre of Gravity
At the peak of the Euro-Atlantic dominance over the world, the economic gravitational center was located near Iceland. Since then, it has been moving back east closer to the fast growing economies of China and India.
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Malthusian Trap
For millennia, human development has been regulated by the laws of nature. After the Industrial Revolution a part of the world has escaped from the Malthusian trap. Other parts are still catching-up.
Global Inequality
The global distribution of income looks like a “champagne glass”. 20 % of the world’s richest people get more than 80 % of the world’s income, while the poorest 20 % get only 1%.
Demographic Transition
Demographic transition is a historical shift in societies from high birth rates and high infant death rates to low birth rates and low death rates. Most African countries find themselves in the second or third stage.
Gold to Dollar
In 1971, direct convertibility of the dollar into gold ended. The market price of gold fluctuates, but the gold content of the dollar continues to decline as new money is printed.
Armed Conflicts
Since the end of the Cold War, the number of armed conflicts in the world has been declining. However, the share of civil wars and internal conflicts is growing.
Dry in the Gobi Desert
Mongolia offers many landscapes: endless plains, majestic mountains, vast deserts. I visited the country to monitor CzechAid projects. One project aims to stop desertification of the Gobi Desert. I did not expect to find an empty glass of vodka there, though 🙂
Summer Olympic Games
The opening spectacle featured the Queen, James Bond and Mr. Bean. We attended several events, such as soccer at the Wembley Stadium, volleyball match between Italy and Brazil, badminton and even archery competition at Lord’s.
Dead Sea Floating
Floating in the salty water of the Dead Sea is a relaxing experience. Other tourist attractions in the area include the Masada fortress, a symbol of martyrdom. When the Romans besieged the fortress in 73 CE, almost 1000 Jewish zealots living there chose to commit suicide.
Lost on the Silk Road
We followed ancient treasures along the Great Silk Road: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. The infamous “Bug Pit” was a four meter deep hole in the prison located inside the Ark of Bukhara. This was the place where British soldiers Connolly and Stoddart were tortured and executed in 1842.