It is a special characteristic of all modern societies that people consciously decide on and plan projects designed to improve their social systems. It is their universal predicament that their projects do not always have their intended effects. It seems inevitable that in most countries this common set of problems, combined with the obvious…

Surviving the aftermaths of the Asian Financial Crisis and SARS in 2003, Hong Kong's economy has re-gained its momentum and its economic growth has been quite remarkable too in recent few years. Nevertheless, as reflected by the Social Development Index (SDI), economic growth in Hong Kong does not seem to have benefited the people of the city at…

Discusses the need for organizing concepts with which planners can formulate goals or policies to deal with social problems. The literature on social systems is reviewed and five models are identified. Illustrations of planning problems to which each model would apply are provided, together with a discussion of the model's relative advantages and…

The author reflects on problems of communication in our society today and makes a plea for: (1) social planning to insure the availability of gainful employment; and (2) a reduction of personal alienation to increase life's significance and value in a speech presented before the Graduate Students Organization, University of Illinois, May 1970. (BY)

The multifunctional aspects of the modern metropolis predetermine that the diverse elements of the population must be considered in planning schemes. The anthropologist, the planner, and the social scientist may no longer view the city from their quite different perspectives. (JB)

The social science enterprise, to satisfy the criteria of good science," must cover the whole spectrum of basic and applied science and lend direction to the policy process with respect to applied problems in the social realm. (Author/MB)

Any effort to change a complex social system should begin by constructing models and simulations of the problem and its social context. These will increase the likelihood of long-term success, decrease the chance of unexpected negative side effects, and help conserve scarce national resources. Models may be of three types: (1) prose models--which…

The implications for social planning are discussed in relation to income maintenance, rehabilitation, and work opportunity and job adaptation programs, with particular emphasis on the need for early contact and coordination of services. (Editor)

This publication contains 200 bibliographic annotated entries representative of the available literature most relevant to the future of American education. The content scope covers futures methodology, general societal trends and futures descriptions, general educational trends and futures descriptions, educational policy proposals, and…

Dewey's notion of applying the method of social intelligence to the solution of social problems is critically reviewed with special emphasis on his failure to come to terms with the question of concentrated social power in America. Theoretical ambiguities as well as unclear ideas on the practical agencies of social change are pointed out. (DS)

Discusses futurology efforts--future studies, technological forecasts, long-range plans, scenarios of alternative futures. (Author/RK)

Concern with the complexity of social problems and of public policy designed to cope with them has led to the identification of an interdisciplinary focus called the policy sciences. The concept includes both governmental and non-governmental decisions. The social sciences have provided structure with new methods such as operations research,…

Comments from community leaders in Pittsburgh concerning health issues point out some of the major examples of the kinds of concerns and suggestions for action voiced in the University-Urban Interface Program study on Pittsburgh goals. Quotations from the questionnaire administered by the goals committee also illustrate the kinds of things which…