History suggests that economies, political systems, and global power structures move in long-term cycles driven by debt, productivity, social cohesion, and geopolitical competition. Today, many governments find themselves at a critical inflection point — facing high debt levels, rising inequality, technological disruption, and shifting global power balances. The question is whether these cycles are inevitable, or whether informed leadership and better decision-making can alter their trajectory. This session explores how historical patterns, economic forces, and emerging power dynamics shape the choices governments make today — and the consequences those choices may have for decades to come