We are not where we think we are — we're in the middle of a historic transition, and most of us are asleep at the wheel.

Over the years, I’ve realized the world works in patterns. Civilizations, economies, and empires all rise, peak, decline, and collapse—over and over again. These are what Ray Dalio calls “The Big Cycles,” and whether you like it or not, we’re deep into one now.

What surprises people the most about cycles is how obvious they are—after the fact. And that's exactly the point. Most are caught off guard because they're focused on the present. But in order to anticipate the future, you must look to the past. That’s how serious investors, power players, and nations navigate downturns and position themselves during the chaos.

Let me show you how it works.

A world order is the established structure of governance, finance, and power both within a country and globally. These orders determine how nations interact and compete. But here's the key—these systems are fragile, and they change violently when the balance tips.

Internally, empires have constitutions and laws. Globally, treaties and agreements set the rules between powers. But none of these are permanent. They function only so long as the dominant empire can enforce or inspire respect. Once that strength weakens—through debt, overextension, or internal division—the order breaks.

Ray Dalio breaks it down into three key forces that fuel the transition from one world order to the next—and all three are happening right now: