This compilation of articles, photographs, commentaries, diagrams, and political cartoons presents positive, practical, and action-oriented core ideas on which to base future-oriented thinking and creative activity. The first of 10 parts presents articles on traditional American principles, ways of facing the future, America's character and strengths, capacity for change, the crisis of centralization, reshaping the machinery of self-government, and social invention. Part 2 deals with values, conservatism, biblical imperatives, ethics, and new goals and values. Part 3 discusses ways in which experts disagree, ecological perspectives, the problem of population, economic realities, and ethical choices. Articles in part 4 examine the meaning of personal and national security and part 5 focuses on growth, the inadequacy of economics, and the search for sustainable futures. In part 6, responsibilities to the world's children, women and global society, and the impoverished world majority are discussed. Leadership is dealt with in part 7, through an examination of Reagan's inaugural address, political obstacles to a global perspective, the anatomy of leadership, and methods for improving national foresight. Articles in part 8 deal with social systems in trouble, organized labor, and technology and the transformation of religion. The final sections present stories of people making an impact on the world and of efforts by the Club of Rome at creating global consciousness. (LH)