Financial crisis lays seeds of 'dystopian future'

LONDON — The World Economic Forum is warning that the financial crisis that has gripped the global economy for the past few years is fueling resentment that could lay the seeds for a rising tide of protectionism, nationalism and protests.

In its assessment of the risks to the global economy, the Forum flags a "dystopian future" for much of humanity that could wipe out the gains achieved so far by globalization.

The report's authors highlight Wednesday the need for both the public and private sectors to "realign expectations of an increasingly anxious global community."

The Forum publishes its assessment of risks to the global economy each year ahead of its meeting in Davos, Switzerland. This year's summit begins on January 25.