The World Ahead
An Anthropologist Anticipates the Future

Born in the first year of the 20th century, it is fitting that Margaret Mead should have been one of the first anthropologists to use anthropological analysis to study the future course of human civilization. This volume collects her writings on the future of humanity and how humans can shape that future through purposeful action.

Born in the first year of the 20th century, it is fitting that Margaret Mead should have been one of the first anthropologists to use anthropological analysis to study the future course of human civilization. This volume collects, for the first time, her writings on the future of humanity and how humans can shape that future through purposeful action. For Mead, the study of the future was born out of her lifelong interest in processes of change. Many of these papers were originally published as conference proceedings or in limited-circulation journals, testimony before government bodies and chapters in works edited by others. They show Mead's wisdom, prescience and concern for the future of humanity.

Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1. 1943: The Family In The Future Chapter 2. 1945: Human Differences And World Order Chapter 3. 1950: Unique Possibilities Of The Melting Pot Chapter 4. 1962: The Psychology Of Warless Man Chapter 5. 1963a: Beyond The Nuclear Family Chapter 6. 1963b: Patterns Of Worldwide Cultural Change In The 1960s Chapter 7. 1966a: One World - But Which Language? Chapter 8. 1966b: The University And Institutional Change Chapter 9. 1967: Changing Cultural Patterns Of Work And Leisure Chapter 10. 1968a: New Year's - A Universal Birthday Chapter 11. 1968b: Alternatives To War Chapter 12. 1968c: The Crucial Role Of The Small City In Meeting The Urban Crisis Chapter 13. 1968d: Statement [On Aging And Retirement] Chapter 14. 1968e: Some Social Consequences Of A Guaranteed Income Chapter 15. 1969: Man On The Moon Chapter 16. 1970a: Education For Humanity Chapter 17. 1970b: Kalinga Prize Acceptance Speech Chapter 18. 1971: A Note On Contributions Of Anthropology To The Science Of The Future Chapter 19. 1973a: The Kind Of City We Want Chapter 20. 1973b: Prospects For World Harmony Chapter 21. 1974a: Opening Address [To The Society For General Systems Research] Chapter 22. 1974b: Changing Perspectives on Modernization Chapter 23. 1974c: Ways To Deal With The Current Social Transformation Chapter 24. 1975: Discussion [About How Anthropologists Can Perform Better In Applied Roles] Chapter 25. 1977: Our Open-Ended Future
Index