It is not surprising that so many people are interested in the future when we consider some recent dramatic happenings ​ — the fall of the Berlin Wall and the rapid breakup of the former Soviet Union, the lack of confidence in political leaders, the ethnic hate surfacing in Africa and Europe, the religious enmity in India and Ireland, the galloping inflation afflicting so many countries, and the rebellion of youth.
हैमबर्ग विश्‍वविद्यालय से एक रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, द्वितीय विश्‍व युद्ध के बाद १९९२ सबसे अधिक युद्धरत वर्ष था, जिसमें भिन्‍न देशों में ५२ सशस्त्र संघर्ष हुए ।