This passed weekend, some of our nation’s leading intellectuals gathered at NYU’s Performing Arts Center.

Why?  To share their predictions as to what’s in store for us in 2013.

The World in 2013, as it is known, is an annual event hosted by The Economist.  Pundits gather to debate, deliberate, and declare what they feel (though they claim they know) will happen in the upcoming year.  

Here’s a few predictions for 2013 (check out some videos from the event here):

U.S. Economy

First,

I think the unemployment rate will end the year below 7%.

Second

Medicare costs will grow at less than 3% nominal.

-Peter Orszag, vice-chairman of global banking, Citigroup

Emerging Economies 

Authoritarian growth miracles don’t last.  The Chinese boom is coming to an end.

-William Easterly, professor of economics, New York University

2013 is about the frontier markets, not the BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India, China] countries. 

-Dambisa Moyo, author “Winner Take All”

Power 

2012 was signified by China on the rise, the Middle East exploding, and Europe muddling through its financial crisis.  Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, referred to the order, respectively, as the good, the bad, and the ugly.  In 2013 however, the well known political scientist feels the order will be switched.  

We’ll understand that Europe’s muddling through has an endpoint.  That’s the good.  The Middle East will continue to explode.  That’s the bad.  We [U.S.] will view China’s continued rise as a threat.  That’s the ugly.  

If you have a prediction of your own, let us know in a comment below.