It is no secret that the global economy is struggling. Europe is in the midst of a crisis whose root cause is a structurally flawed monetary and economic union.
The United States, emerging slowly from a financial crisis and widespread deleveraging, is experiencing a growth slowdown, a persistent employment problem, an adverse shift in income distribution and structural challenges, with little effective or decisive policy action.
Meanwhile, among the major emerging economies, China's reform process is on hold, pending a leadership transition this fall that will clarify various internal interests' goals and power relationships.