LANDMARKS OF TOMORROW

The author of The New Society, America's Next Twenty Years and several other books on modern man in the industrial state, treats here of what he calls this "Post Modern Age" which is distinguished from the "Modern" world since the 17th century by new scientific and philosophical emphases, by the new challenges presented by the "Educated Society" and by the new emphasis on the spiritual reality of human existence. Basically Drucker is a conservative optimist. He does not believe, of course, in the false goal of "progress" for the sake of more progress. His word is "innovation" which he defines as "purposeful change". He believes that the decline of the liberal state as it arose in the 18th century, the new age of pluralism, the social structures which have resulted from the new organizing capacity have given modern man a new kind of freedom — in which he is a more responsible being. His conclusions: that the traditional values of Western civilization are still sound; that they can apply with force equal to Western technology in the East; that the new universe will be one of pattern, purpose; that responsibility, not success is the measure of the man. Written with provocative force.