Ray Dalio, the founder and co-chairman of the world's biggest hedge fund, reveals a framework for predicting the rise and fall of great nations such as the U.S. and China.

When it comes to economics, Ray Dalio's theories are worth hearing.

Dalio has demonstrated his economic perceptiveness and forecasting expertise by founding and leading the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates.

In Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order, Dalio lays out his framework for evaluating the cyclical rise and fall of a country's fortunes.

Dalio's book covers the fundamentals of his 'Big Cycle' theory of national development, including historical examples from the Netherlands, Britain, the U.S., and China.

For Dalio, national cycles are of profound importance to the wellbeing of a nation's citizens, war and international relations, the relationship between America and China, and the future of the human race.