In the game chess the word “Zugzwang” refers to a situation, whereby whatever move the player makes, s/he will be at a disadvantage, yet the player is compelled to move.  I believe that the term “Zugzwang” is an appropriate description to describe the perilous situation facing global elites as they struggle with diverse and multi-faceted global crisis.

Living in the UK, enables one to observe the particular political crisis here, but there are similar crisis in the US, mainland Europe - Paris protests, South America (Chile, Bolivia, Colombia etc…,) Asia (Hong Kong, India.)
 
We know that both internally and externally, that globally the current State system, its institutions, ideas and ethos are being severely challenged, major change is going to happen one way or another.  However, what remains to be seen – anticipated, is from precisely where will the shock to the system come, which will trigger this ‘epic change process.’ Will it be financial and economic (for 'financial crisis' news - click here,) political and social (click here) or as a result of an incident leading to military conflict (click here,) these precipitating events are as yet unknown.
 
As this process continues to unfold, it seems that the best, any one currently in a position of power can do, is to hang on feverishly to the status quo, however bad that looks, whilst mouthing platitudes about ‘hope’ and ‘change.’