Reasons why 21st century won't be that bad?

[Froge]

20th century was pretty bad. Not that there were any really good centuries throughout human history, but as Mandus acknowledges, the 20th century was pretty horrific globally. Two world wars, mass crimes against humanity, rise of totalitarian regimes, threat of nuclear war, etc.

These elements are still visibly present in today's society but on the whole, western society has it pretty well compared to last century. There has been an increase lately, however, of stories from all media that hypothesis a collapse of western civilization and a terrifying post apocalyptic world. Examples include The Road, Last of Us, World War Z, Oryx and Crake, etc.

Do you think the 21st century will overall be a time of global progress? Or will there be no progress at all? Or will the opposite happen - global catastrophe? Is there any evidence that this century can be better than the last?