Half the world’s population has recently gone to the polls. The outcomes have forced a fundamental reassessment of everything from geopolitics and economics to technology and sustainability.
This year, the defining trend is not mere disruption – it’s rewiring. The international consensus that has governed the post-war era is fragmenting. Spheres of influence are emerging, and ‘strongman’ leadership is replacing shared values. The result: a world that feels more divided, pessimistic, and atomized than ever before.
Incumbents in developed economies have lost ground. The reasons are clear:
A sharp drop in living standards, driven by inflation.
Deep frustration over immigration and declining trust in institutions.
The most consequential changes have come from the United States, where disruption is accelerating and executive authority is expanding. The US and China now set the pace, locked in direct competition across trade, technology, and influence. The rest of the world is forced to adapt, as hedging between these powers becomes harder.
The big question: Are we witnessing a lasting generational shift, or just a temporary backlash in a world still in flux?
Some experts are bleak, arguing that the world has taken a decisive turn for the worse. Others see opportunity in forced change, believing it can break political deadlock and shift perspectives.
What’s clear is that the issues will remain constant, but the language and terms of engagement are shifting. We’re entering an era of transactional relationships, fragmented influence, and rising populism. Half the world’s population has recently cast a vote. The consequences are reverberating across continents, forcing a deep re-examination of everything from geopolitics and economics to technology, sustainability and culture.
FGS Global Radar 2026 reveals a world defined by divides, disruption, and rewiring. The challenge for leaders: to navigate these new realities with clarity, courage, and creativity. The future will be shaped not just by what we do, but by how well we adapt.
Explore the FGS Global Radar 2026 to gain insights and prepare for the future.
