“China’s ability to influence their markets is greater than that of any other economy in the world,” Bremmer said. “When things really get tough for China, Jack Ma will have to buckle down and support the regime or he would get into trouble. That hasn’t happened yet because it hasn’t had to, the Chinese government feels confident that they can handle a downturn without taking those kinds of measures.”

Unlike the United States, where presidential candidates are fueling political passions in a competitive election cycle, and Europe, where a new surge of fascist, nationalist and far-right parties has been fueled by reactions to the refugees, Asia and South America are relatively placid, Bremmer says.

“Everyone is playing politics, but in Asia they aren’t doing it,” Bremmer said. “These are big economies with popular leaders who for the first time are thinking long term and focusing on the economy and are trying to avoid nationalist conflicts. Asia is the largest economy in the world as a region and for now we’re not going to see geopolitical tensions raising their ugly heads.”

Bremmer also cited a pending settlement between the Columbian government and the paramilitary FARC movement, peace between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, the Iran nuclear deal, Cuba’s gradual liberalization, the fall of Myanmar’s totalitarian regime and the likely collapse of Venezuelan socialism as signs that regions formerly considered part of the third world are opening up.

“Cuba opened up to the U.S. because Venezuela can’t write checks anymore with oil revenues,” Bremmer said. “They were able to survive 50 years of sanctions, but I don’t think they can last five years of Starbucks. They’re going to be brought down by the venti (a Starbucks 20-ounce coffee drink).”

Even though emerging markets benefit from the liberalization, Bremmer said technology-driven automation will bring their development to an end.

“When you see tremendous unemployment in Europe or the U.S., you don’t see revolts, these are not starving people because you have a social safety net and family networks,” Bremmer said. “I don’t think automation has much impact on the American market, but China can’t handle a hollowing out of its middle class, and I’m not sure that Turkey, Russia, or Brazil could handle it either.”    

The news wasn’t all bad: Bremmer sounded a positive note on the impact of the tumultuous U.S. presidential race.

“Over the past few weeks I’ve met with over 20 CEOs of Fortune 100 companies,” Bremmer said. “The number who told me they would change their investment plans one iota based on who wins the presidency was zero. They don’t think that Sanders, Trump or Cruz will win the election, but even if they do, they don’t think they’re going to be able to get much done.”

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