China's rise reshapes the culture of global game

Despite various crises affecting large parts of the world, global economic growth stands at around 4 percent and is spread relatively evenly between developing and wealthy countries. In some ways, this should be a reassuring trend. But a defining feature of our times is the disconnect between economic dynamics and cultural identity.

While rapid economic globalization (bringing unprecedented interconnectivity) has been taking place for the past few decades, various forms of nationalism have emerged as a reaction to increasing economic disparities between and within countries and what is perceived by many as imposed cultural homogenization. There is a deep and growing sense of identity that is even penetrating inside a country, as is the case of Catalonia, an autonomous community in Spain.

So it is time to reconsider the importance of cultural identity and how it impacts the political economy, geopolitics and security.