'World could be plunged into crisis in 2014': Cambridge expert predicts 'a great event' will determi

A 'Doomsday' moment will take place in 2014 - and will determine whether the 21st century is full of violence and poverty or will be peaceful and prosperous, according to a Cambridge University professor. In the last 500 years there has been a cataclysmic 'Great Event' of international significance at the start of each century, he claims. Occurring in the middle of the second decade of each century, they include events which sparked wars, religious conflict and brought peace. Professor Nicholas Boyle of Cambridge University, who carried out the research, has pinpointed the global financial crisis as the trigger for the next 'Great Event'. And he claims the U.S., with its waning economic influence but unrivalled military power, holds the key to determining the course and character of the next 90 years Professor Boyle said: 'The character of a century becomes very apparent in that second decade, so why should ours be any different? Thesis: Professor Nicholas Boyle claims 2014 will mark a significant change in world events Thesis: Professor Nicholas Boyle claims 2014 will mark a significant change in world events 'Partly the timing has to do with the way we divide our understanding of human life and human history. 'If a century is going to have a character it is going to become apparent by the time it is approaching 20 years old, the same is true of human beings.