This paper explores the relationships between English as a world language, native speakers and their governments, and educational practices to illustrate the risks of power by language and the risks of language. A brief political history of the English language is followed by predictions on the use of English in the 1990s. It is suggested that once a people become educated, the struggle for a national language becomes irresistible and literacy in local languages increases. Throughout history, questions of power and money inevitably lead to the need for a common language for negotiation and discussion. It is concluded that English plays a major role in the movement throughout the world towards greater communication across cultures and that there are risks as well as advantages to this role for native-English speaking countries. (Contains 14 references.) (NAV)