TODAY: BUSINESS FUTURES | 13 ANALYSIS Almost as important is the extent to which The trend toward geopolitical fragmentation inequality has become more obvious to the has gone hand-in-hand with—and arguably public, as communications technology makes represents a reaction to—the growing ability it easier than ever for people to compare their of technology to connect the world. Outsourcing own situations with those of others, in their and labor-saving technologies lie behind much own countries and elsewhere. of the recent increase in income inequality The widening gap between expectations and in many countries, across the OECD. perceived reality is stoking populism and discontent An example: with “establishment” institutions, including governments and large businesses. In 2016, references to multinationals in the media were EARN more negative than at any point in the previous decade. Exacerbating economic concerns, 10X societal cohesion is often being challenged RICHEST MORE THAN POOREST by rapid changes in culture, making groups 10% 10% that once belonged to a privileged majority feel marginalized. The richest 10 percent of the population now earn nearly 10 times the income of the poorest 10 percent, up from seven times in the 1980s.5 THTHEE W WORLDORLD OF OF REDESIGNING THE IMAGINATION THE AGE OF ““TETECHCHNONO--PPOLOLIITTIICSCS”” LIFE ECONOMY (IN)SECURITY