I think our current civilization is in trouble due to resource depletion and over-population. IMHO, the maximum population for our planet based upon fully renewable resources is not less than 0.5 billion and not greater than 2 billion. We’re currently at 6.6 billion and the number is growing.

The average world GDP – per capita (2006 est) is $10,200. Based on CIA “World Factbook”, the average world GDP – per capita is between Costa Rica and South Africa. A person with money can live comfortably in Costa Rica (not a bad place to retire to) but the standard of living there is far below that of the United States ($ 45,800) or Western Europe. I’ve traveled to South Africa many times (married to a South African) and know that it’s apparent wealth is an illusion. Most of South Africa’s populaton lives in shanty towns and endures grinding poverty.

If the world’s wealth were evenly distributed then the United States’ standard of living would be at least a fourth of what it currently is (misapplied globalization is dangerous). However this is only part of the story. Wealth generates more wealth. Much of America’s wealth is tied up in economic infrastructure, e.g. wheat fields, forests, factories, universities, etc. If our standard of living was knocked down to Costa Rica’s then most of our economic infrastructure would have gone away.

IMHO, the way to achieving equitable wealth in the world is through rational maintence of existing economic engines (this means temporary acceptance of present day economic inequity), developing better technology (encourage worldwide literacy and education), reducing the world’s population through birth control and seeking extraterrestrial resources for future growth (Space Exploration).