Vital Signs for National Stability: Staying Secure in an Insecure World

In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States, many people are more worried than ever about traveling or investing abroad. National stability is one of the most important factors to consider in making plans that involve other countries. It also can be one of the most difficult, because stability is not a single factor, but a complex array of economic conditions, demographic trends, political forces, religion, technology, personalities, and more. Eleven of the most important trends for national stability include: 1. Technology dominates the economy and society. 2. The economy of the developed world will continue to grow for at least the next 5 years. 3. The developing nations and former Soviet countries will swing between chaos and order.