Walter A. Hahn

In the following alternative visions of America’s future, Walter

A. Hahn presents four "future history" scenarios. Each scenario is from the viewpoint of the elder generation from one of four future time periods: Toward 1999, 2001+, 2020, and 2040. The demographic parameters of America are shifting to those of an aging population, and Hahn creates these scenarios to describe what he believes will be the viewpoint of elders at different times in the future. The story lines Hahn creates include potentially serious problems involving generational equity, health care, and other issues. His purpose is to urge policymakers to think in terms of the possible impacts that an increasingly aged population will have on America. Hahn (1921-1993), a futurist, was a senior fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration in Washington, D.C...