Q. You want to see a form of commerce that uplifts the entire human race and respects both the environment and the world’s cultures. So how should globalization develop over the next 25 years? What role does government play in this evolution?

I take the contrarian view that business—more than either government or civil society—is uniquely equipped at this point in history to lead us toward a sustainable world in the years ahead. I argue that corporations are the only entities in the world today with the technology, resources, capacity, and global reach required. Properly focused, the profit motive can accelerate (not inhibit) the transformation toward global sustainability, with non-profits, governments, and multilateral agencies all playing crucial roles as collaborators. I see three steps along the path to such an inclusive and sustainable commerce.