ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at some of the intriguing socio-political developments of the Macroindustrial Era. Specifically, Asian and South American countries, increasingly involved in the invention and application of new technologies and scientific breakthroughs, stand ready to contribute to the exciting adventures of a brand new Era. It examines where the United States stands in the emerging economic order. The United States has the technological know-how to construct economical, safe, and efficient next-generation nuclear power plants. In the new Era, nuclear fusion, hybrid fuel cells, macro-solar power, and advanced forms of nuclear fission will predominate. Even though there are few champions of nuclear energy as a source of power generation in the United States, the American policy elite seems to understand the critical role nuclear power plays in the growth and prosperity of our international partners. Japan is developing its own "fast breeder" reactor, a highly efficient generator of nuclear energy which recycles its own spent fuel.
