“The fundamental uncertainties of our time will shape the context for many of our business and personal decisions. Will there be war or peace? Prosperity or depression? An atmosphere of freedom or one of restraint"”

Peter Schwartz, The Art of the Long View, 1991

As the year 2000 approaches, there is a natural surge of interest among Americans about the future. Many are asking the following questions: Where is the nation headed? Where should it be headed" Will we like it when we get there?

Although not widely recognized, the purpose of futures research is not to predict the future, but to use foresight about possible, probable, preferable, and feared futures in order to make better decisions in the present. Claims of being able to predict the future with precision should be viewed with great skepticism. The approach of considering opposing viewpoints, then, is an appropriate one to...