Research

Explore our collection of articles on the leading megatrends in technology, politics, and society.

Filter: Short-form articles

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The chemical industry is out of control

We have no idea about the long-term impacts of chemical production on our planet. Is it time for a 'guilty until proven innocent' approach?

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The developing intrinsic value of nature

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The sour aftertaste of the Glasgow COP26

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Feel-good philanthropy

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Stimulating sustainable consumer practices

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The greening of green financial products

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Will the metaverse be a “pornoverse”?

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How a decline in trust can be a driver for new political leadership

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AUKUS and the return of geopolitics

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What to think of the Corona Pass?

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The ‘Wechselstimmung’ after Merkel

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The traffic light turns green for German digitalization

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China’s CBDC-as-a-standard?

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The future of the anti-establishment, conservative right

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Climate litigation and civil society

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What would a sufficiently sustainable ordinary life look like?

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A new narrative on climate change

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On the Chinese variety of capitalism

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How to deal with the medical uncertainty of Long COVID?

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India’s rise as a digital superpower

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On realizing we are not alone

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Judges break the unwritten rule of environmental agreements

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Winter is ending

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The G7 tax deal is all about American geo-economics

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We need more downward mobility

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The emergence of big tech mesh networks

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Lifestyle politics in the planetary age

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Elon Musk – What does his popularity tell us about 21st century leadership?

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Hegemonic shift makes the European Super League inevitable

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The not-so-bright future after the pandemic

The planet as an emerging category

On living with – not on – the planet.

A new dawn for nationalist parties?

For many, the brutal geopolitical awakening caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China threatening to invade Taiwan means freedom is back on the political agenda...

Who has to pay the costs of climate change?

Issuing appeals for hundreds of millions in emergency funding to help victims of climate change might soon be a standard procedure.

"Creative" AI is recreating the creative industry

In the past few months, creative AI systems such as DALL-E and Midjourney have taken the internet by storm with their “artistic” creations.

How will the metaverse and web3 influence social media?

Brace yourself, the 2D newsfeeds gracing our screens might soon be part of internet history.

Geopolitical nonalignment in the 21st century

Escalating tensions in Taiwan and Ukraine are pressuring the world to choose an alignment, yet many nations refuse to choose sides.

The fragmentation of social media

When Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian are starting to revolt, you know Instagram is getting into trouble...

The return of industrial policy

The Dutch government is rethinking industrial policy—more coordination is on the horizon.

AI regulations may see a Beijing effect

Is Europe too late to cause a Brussels effect on AI technology?

Globalization can still be a force for good

A general narrative is emerging that international trade and cooperation are on the decline. Is it accurate?