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Because economic tectonic forces are in a state of dynamic change, the underlying complexity of economic operations often leads to uncertainty in economic outcomes. This book examines five long-term tectonic forces that affect the operation of the world economy today: population aging, technological progress, growing income inequality, debt growth, and climate change. These forces are global in nature and scope. In this sense, they are very similar to the tectonic forces operating under the Earth's crust.

Population aging is the first economic tectonic force. While the aging of the global population is a well-known fact, it is also probably the most underestimated force in the business world today. Because population aging occurs gradually, this force is unlikely to have a substantial impact on specific business plans. Economic growth depends on two factors: labor force growth and productivity growth. Therefore, economic growth is constrained by the supply of labor. We are now entering an era of relatively slow labor force growth, so economic growth trends will also slow. Population aging also has an impact on interest rates. When the economy is in a stable state, without any stress or disturbance, there will be a natural relationship between the economic growth rate and the average interest rate level. After eliminating the impact of inflation, the two will be roughly equivalent in value.

Technological progress is the second economic tectonic force, and it predates economics itself. Of the five economic tectonic forces, it is the only positive one. Throughout history, technological progress has always been behind the operation of the economy and has promoted economic growth. From time to time, human civilization develops a technology that can be applied to all sectors of the economy, has a profound impact on productivity, and is called a "general purpose technology" because of its wide range of applicability. The events that invented general purpose technologies are so important in economic history that they are hailed as industrial revolutions. Each technological leap brings huge benefits to society in terms of quality of life, productivity, and residents' income. Economic growth will exceed the long-term trend growth rate for several consecutive years, thereby permanently raising the national income level.