Recent comments by Mia Rizvi

• Writing the Future

  Professor Sachs first a huge fan of yours, I am an Econ Senior at Maryland. It so happens I am in the process of writing a paper on just this issue of “Sustainable Global market based development”. I am in complete agreement with everything you say in this article except that what you refer to as the “future is here and now”. You are absolutely right when you say “Herein lies our great challenge – the one that will determine whether we follow the path of prosperity or ruin.” Status quo all we really have in front of us are mostly challenges and not too many choices. Sure, if you and I wish to look at it from purely the here and now perspective than May I say we are a doomed people. I certainly do not wish to sound like a harbinger of gloom and doom if anything I really feel this is the “possibility thinkers” paradise. From challenges come opportunities. The current business model with paltry growth in the developed economies and a future that seems without too much promise should in and of itself obviate change. This Professor Sachs is the time for bold thinking. So, while your prescription and the three point agenda you outline for a “happy ending” are absolutely a good start, however, what we really need is a paradigm shift in global cooperation and thinking. I really think this is the time where the developed economies with the established market and technology base have to not lead but partner with emerging economies in discovering and implementing “alternative” market based real solutions. It is not enough and even counterproductive for the developed World to lecture the developing other half on the need for change. The “do as I say and don’t do as I do” line just will not just not work but continue the stalemate. As I said I do not wish to sound like the Proverbial end is here or even near (which it is) but for the pioneers and the risk takers there is an enormous potential and an untapped market that has a long term promise of growth and prosperity. Can you and I work to make to bring this enormous hidden potential to the fore? That is the challenge!

• The World in 2030

  Well, then it should not really matter,does it?