TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

Global
It is a “market world” in 2030, where the American model of capitalism has finally achieved
global dominance, having weathered the international financial maelstrom of 2009 and the
storms of ‘Chindian’ protectionism and market-dumping during the period 2010 to 2020. An
extended economic boom during the 2020’s has shown that free market policies, corporate
restructuring and enlightened entrepreneurship offer a paradigm for growth leading to increased
global market integration, unprecedented technological innovation, pressure for independence
of thought and action, and rising standards of literacy in most parts of the world.
Free market reforms have moved governments everywhere to downsize, deregulate and
privatise. The pace of innovation breeds new opportunities at astonishing speed. The thesis
throughout is: let markets work, turn loose the private sector, breakdown the barriers to free
trade, and all will be well. Sooner or later, rapid economic growth and increasing prosperity
will happen or ‘trickle down’ in virtually every region of the earth. The rising tide floats all
boats.
In this world of ‘Liberty’ diverse players join-in ad hoc alliances to solve social and
environmental problems in the most pragmatic way possible. The keynote of this scenario is
‘dynamic reciprocity’ – giving and taking in a climate that is closely attuned to the opportunities
of the moment whilst, at the same time, alert to ways of incorporating long-term values into
strategies for commercial success. This is a world of social and technological innovations,
experimentation, rapid adaptation, much voluntary interconnectedness, fierce competition, and
a powerful, ever-changing global market. Transparency in everything is high, and the
widespread availability of information allows free market entry to new actors.
The growing connectivity of national economies and transnational business, however, does not
occur smoothly. Multiple players with varying values and differing objectives vie for power and
position in a global milieu of swiftly shifting, fluid alliances. What role environmental
regulations and social welfare should play is a constant source of dispute. The arguments are
intensified by the increased interest of media in reporting on environmental degradation and
social inequity, especially the growing gap between rich and poor countries. Accelerating
migration from the poorer parts of less developed countries and regions, moreover, is seen as a
serious threat by many in the more developed regions of the world.
Europe
For Europe, this is a world that has witnessed the “triumph of trade over war”. Europe in 2030
has largely been shaped by constant economic growth driven by the continuing processes of
globalisation, privatisation and the liberalisation of key markets, including technology, energy,
air transport, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. E-commerce has become embedded in
the fabric of European business, with explosive developments in mobile communications, shortrange
wireless, digital intelligence, and voice and language technologies. Europe has become a
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