In terms of geopolitics and globalization I think we are putting our species into a catch22.
We have adapted our physical environment to suit or needs, by transforming materials to work for us in some fashion. This transformation of material is achieved through labor or, work. As it is viewed in the physical sciences, for something to do work it needs energy, whether it be a horse, a machine, or human.
Since we live in an enclosed system the amount of energy at our disposal is not infinite, but finite. Even our sun has finite limits of energy. At the present time we have established very complex systems of energy transformation. If you were to look at an economy as an energy converting system, than the best way to get more out of a limited supply of energy is by making it more efficient.
If we were to look at the definition of money as something generally accepted as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, a means of payment, or means of storing value. Then money is a vehicle for the exchange of energy that has been employed in the transformation of material in the form of goods or services. These goods and services in a very vague since exist to serve a human need or demand.
For an economic system to become efficient and thus competitive, it must use the least amount of money (energy) to supply goods and services that are in demand for profit to happen. For economic growth to happen there must be a constant demand followed by the ability to quench it with supply. This constant supply and demand ratio for growth to happen requires energy. The US economic system is slowly becoming less energy efficient, thus less profitable, and thus uneconomical. A result of this is outsourcing.
Add into this equation an underlying struggle between economic systems to control the finite sources of cheap energy, then we have a problem. The only thing that is keeping everything in check is supply and demand. The US economy has a huge demand for goods and services, but its own system has surpassed its ability to supply this demand economically, so it must rely on other economies to sustain its demand (growth) by supplying cheap goods and services that it can no longer supply economically.
In the mean time the supplying economies are growing also, because the efforts (work) in the form of energy transformation of good and services is profitable (more money), expanding there economic growth.
Again the underlying link in this equation is limited supplies of cheap energy. How long will the party last? How long will the supply and demand equation work without cheap sources of energy? How long before the supplier also becomes the demander?
ID will probably also go through a transformation of efficiency, where creative and innovative energy will be employed in other means. Maybe we will go back to being craftsmen and women?