Turning the Century

Mary Carroll

Futurist Theobald adds his voice to the chorus demanding fundamental change in the world's social, economic, and political structures. But Theobald is no recent convert to this vision: since the 1960s, when he was a principal author of "The Triple Revolution", whose guaranteed income proposal was later adopted by the Nixon administration, Theobald has argued that traditional decision-making systems are breaking down and must be replaced by new values, new priorities, and new institutions. In "Turning the Century", he analyzes the symptoms of the end of the industrial era and the "mindquakes" that require major revisions in our current belief structures, then describes the shifts needed to enter a new "compassionate era." These include abandoning the goal of maximum economic growth and labor force participation; replacing our failing educational systems with "a commitment to learning to learn on a lifelong basis"; and moving beyond concepts of national sovereignty and majority rule to "responsible freedom" and "authority based on competence, knowledge and servant leadership." While few readers will agree with all of Theobald's diagnoses or prescriptions, "Turning the Century" is a thought-provoking contribution to the critical debate about alternative futures.