Putting current history into perspective - From the FT

An interesting article in the FT suggests that a number of power centers will develop in the coming years. This is different from a widely held view that developing countries will increase the basis of their power, while the US declines and Europe sort of idle along.

Included below a link to the article & intro paragraph.

Future shock? Welcome to the new Middle Ages
By Parag Khanna, Published: December 28 2010

"Imagine a world with a strong China reshaping Asia; India confidently extending its reach from Africa to Indonesia; Islam spreading its influence; a Europe replete with crises of legitimacy; sovereign city-states holding wealth and driving innovation; and private mercenary armies, religious radicals and humanitarian bodies playing by their own rules as they compete for hearts, minds and wallets.
It sounds familiar today. But it was just as true slightly less than a millennium ago at the height of the Middle Ages."