Political Thinking in the Transition to the 21st Century

The global power shifts and upheavals of recent decades – the world-historical ‘Wende’ of 1989-91, the September 11 attacks in 2001, etc. - have profoundly influenced political thought at the beginning of this century. Moreover, the current global economic crisis started to significantly shake the taken-for-grantedness of the capitalist world. What changes does this provoke in the political thought of the present? What are the reactions and thoughts of the ruling elites? What is the attitude of China or Latin America for example?