Joel Kotkin: Why America Will Still Lead the World in 2050

What will America be like in 40 years, after it adds another 100 million people? With so much bipartisan handwringing about everything from illegal immigration to environmental degradation, it seems like many are expecting America to collapse before 2050. Enter urban historian Joel Kotkin, who offers a rare and optimistic take on America's future.

Kotkin is the Distinguished Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures at Chapman University and the author of the new book, The Next Hundred Million: America in 2050. Topics include: immigration, suburbia, job creation, why America's demographic trajectory gives it an advantage over its peers.

Interview by Ted Balaker, shot by Paul Detrick and Zach Weissmueller, and edited by Alex Manning.

Approximately 9.35 minutes long.

[CravenTHC]

There's a fine line between optimism and false hope.

[thstuning]

Kotkin's final statement about hierarchy and control was spot on. The last thing the American government wants is for a thousand flowers to bloom.

[aWhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

thats great and all, but this guy misses the point that the imigration he is talking about is illegal.
nobody has a problem with legal imigration.

[Nonoyawns]

Wow, fantastic interview, I'll definitely check out the book.

[samuils]

The problem isnt Immigration, but illegal immigration. No one is saying anything about legal immigration, so please phrase it right, as its a world of difference

[CannabisEducation]

@soundmoneyfan For sure. I am from Houston & I love it when the spotlight is brought to us for a little while.

[Dedhedted]

Bluegrass & Latin music have been being blended for years now!!! David Grisman Quintet is just one band I can think of.

[bigbutt]

Maybe if America fix the economy right now, America could remain to the top.

[roarodon]

America does lead the planet, you just think they don't.

[ballerg]

He was on the money. Remote is the way to go.

[freebird]

How are those predictions working out now? Check out his latest interview

[KentMcManigal]

Of course, government can't "own" any property since it possesses nothing it did not steal or "buy" with stolen money. A thief does not "own" the stolen loot he possesses and he has no legitimate say in how it is used.

[Xenthoid]

@sedatedlife18
agreed.. with the rise of other nations not just China and India, but russia, brazil, south africa to name a few, and the declines here, it wont take all that much for the US to lose its status. I think by 2050 we would see a multipolar world...

[bigbutt]

Appalaichian music blends with Latin music? That I need to hear.

[purebacon]

@JCortexEffect Overall the people from the US are great. The government, like every other government, is shitty.

[purebacon]

@XCritonX It will only be a time of liberty if there is no government. We tried a small, constitutionally restrained government already. It failed. And I also hope the revolution isn't bloody, but I think it will have to be.

[Saturnous]

@uluvmyballs : Did you took here the "pure" workforce + agriculture + mining of natural ressources in relation ? In case all patents will loose protection the US$ will fell and China will stop under-steering his currency a Chinese worker will have the same income as a American or a European (economy grow by 1000%) - and they will spend it.
In the moment the patents are in the West and make most of the value of every product - a iPad cost 80 US$ - but "blow up" the US economy with 350US$.

[andrewada]

This is a nicely done interview. He is clearly anti "smart growth" - me too.

You can google "building utopia" and "smart growth" for a more detailed view of this shocking planning trend.

[Saturnous]

@uluvmyballs : I asked Wolfram Alpha for average US economy grow 1998-2008 -> 3, 12. Anyways - this are only "bullshit" values without any true substance behind. In the end every time in the US a machine stopped to produce and started producing in China 2 stories were created : "Shareholder applauded - stock price grew - toxic money." - "People lost their jobs, credits lost real coverage and more dept was created - toxic money." What do you think will happen when anyone will ignore patents ?

[phantomsuccour]

@samuils lol, you clearly have not seen enough conservative blogs against immigration that are particularly tinged against brown people.