Mankind at the turning point - The second report to The Club of Rome

Contents

Mihajlo Mesarovic & Eduard Pestel
Published E P Dutton, US, 1974
Paperback 210 pages, great reading copy

The rapid succession of crises which are currently engulfing the entire world are the clearest indication that humanity is at a turning point in its historical evolution and the way to make doomsday prophecies self-fulfilling is to ignore the obvious signs of perils that lie ahead. This scientifically conducted analysis of the long-term world development based on all available data points out quite clearly that such a passive course leads to disaster. It is necessary that the problems be faced and that alternative paths of development be assessed in a positive and hopeful way. The concept of the "organic growth" of humankind that is proposed in this report is intended as a contribution toward achieving that end. If humankind embarked on a path of organic growth the world would emerge as a system of interdependent and harmonious parts each making its own unique contribution be it in economics resources or culture. The conclusions and recommendations reported in this book are derived from the analysis of alternative patterns of long-term world development using a flexible computer-based planning instrument which contains a multilevel regionalized model of the world system. The model recognizes the diversity that exists in the world and represents the world as a system that is as collection of mutually interacting and interdependent parts. The model is based on available data and understanding of the developmental processes in all relevant scientific disciplines. Several critical problem areas have been examined specifically the world food shortage energy crises population growth and disparity in economic development.