Before revision:  Striking visual and empirical validation is observed for broad macroeconomic sigma-convergence in the period immediately following the end of the Cold war as well as strong global divergence dynamics immediately following the financial crisis and Great Recession, the rise of China, the decline of U.S. manufacturing, the euro crisis,  Arab Spring, and  Middle East conflicts  .
After revision:  Striking visual and empirical validation is observed for broad macroeconomic sigma-convergence in the period immediately following the end of the Cold War. What is more, we observe strong empirical evidence that the mechanisms driving sigma-convergence failed immediately after the financial crisis and Great Recession, the rise of China, the decline of U.S. manufacturing, the euro crisis, Arab Spring, and Middle East conflicts .