Subjects

The book provides a 360-degree overview of the various political, economic and financial events that have marked world history. A useful work for anyone who wants to understand the interests behind the crises and geopolitical tensions that periodically occur.

The text describes the main hotbeds of crisis in the contemporary world, providing a key to understanding some of the international events of recent years. Verga starts from the assumption that by studying the past and observing the present, certain reference models can be defined that can also be valid for the future.

In particular, the author delves into the various transformations that have affected the main economic sectors, from raw materials to the media, from technology to logistics, describing the reasons that have caused epochal changes and what the inevitable economic and financial consequences are.

The book illustrates the genesis, mechanisms and consequences of US geo-economic hegemony by questioning the myth of globalisation as inescapable destiny. And it tries to imagine what kind of world awaits us.

Globalisation is (was?) a geopolitical phenomenon, before and even more than an economic one. Immersed in the ’American century’, we did not realise this, taking for granted the world that arose from the ashes of the Second World War and consolidated after the collapse of the USSR. We thus ended up believing the characteristics of that historical phase to be immutable: the primacy of liberal societies, the unifying force of trade and industrial interdependencies, the unstoppability of neo-liberal capitalism, the cogency of international institutions. Now these assumptions, along with the primacy of Washington, are radically challenged outside and inside America.

A book that dismantles the canon of globalisation, analysing it from its historical beginnings to its current slow disintegration with its economic and socio-cultural fallout.

Who produces lithium for electric car batteries? Where can copper and cobalt be found? An essay on the geopolitics and current affairs to understand the strategic role of raw materials in the present and future economy, where new countries are emerging and growing in their production activities, consumption and international relations.

Considering the intense manufacturing development and a substantial population increase in various parts of the world, in future years the West and the BRICS (enlarged to 11 nations from 1 January 2024) will face even stronger competition for finding industrial metals, rare earths, food, natural fibres, as well as gas and oil.

Hence an effort to understand – supported by clear colour maps – where these treasures can be found and where the largest reserves are hidden. Looking ahead, the countries that will dominate the scene will be those that know how to wisely stock everything needed for the production and commercial cycles. A strategic challenge that sees the two superpowers, US and China, already in open confrontation for world domination.

This is a visual and explorative journey where we discover water as a common good and humankind’s right to water, while gaining insights into the eternal conflict for blue gold.

Water is crucial to life as we know it. it is a precious resource that has always been the object of struggles, conflicts and impoverishment.

This book is a modern-day atlas – both thematic and geopolitical, with a strong information-design orientation that raises awareness on the right to water as the future for our planet.

The book contains 14 chapters with signature features, charts and maps that provide precious geopolitical insights into the major criticalities concerning water systems: water cycles; water around us; the great rivers; the great lakes; seas and oceans; climate change; virtual water; farming and water safety; an electric drop; dams; water grabbing and human rights; health and hygiene; bottled water.