American citizens assume that the future for this country will be a future much like the past-beautiful in many respects. This optimistic view is now countered by those who see a country in decay, struggling to address problems in health care, education, the environment, international affairs, and other sectors.
This book calls on citizens and their leaders to build the future they most desire. The future should not happen to citizens but instead be created by citizens. In part one, this book examines the reasons for future building and the processes for doing so through interactive public sector-private sector dialogue and by applying methods of continuous improvement, reengineering, and visioning. In part two, Ziegenfuss presents scenarios of America's future that include the country's points of decay, trends, vision, and strategies in each of the "parts of America," meaning energy, health care, transportation, business, housing and urban development, education, arts and entertainment, science, environment, agriculture, international affairs and defense, and law and justice. Public and private citizens, especially students, teachers, and planners are encouraged to lead the debates with hope and vision, defining the future they most desire.
Table of Contents:
Part 1 Part I: Creating the Future—Why and How
Chapter 2 Chapter 1: America—The Beautiful Future: A Vision and Connected Strategies Needed
Chapter 3 Chapter 2: The Need for Futures Thinking
Chapter 4 Chapter 3: General Procedure for Futures Design and Planning
Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Creating America's Future in Schools and Colleges: An Approach
Part 6 Part II: America's Future—One Vision
Chapter 7 Chapter 5: One Vision of America's Future
Chapter 8 Chapter 6: Energy: Available and Explored for
Chapter 9 Chapter 7: Health and Human Services: Sickness and Wellness
Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Transportation: Traveling Within and Without America
Chapter 11 Chapter 9: Commerce, Labor, and the Treasury: Building Business and Industry with Labor and Money
Chapter 12 Chapter 10: Housing and Urban Development: The Homeless to City Rebirth
Chapter 13 Chapter 11: The Education System: Schools, Teachers, and Topics
Chapter 14 Chapter 12: Arts and Humanities and Entertainment: Painting and Sculpture for all Citizens
Chapter 15 Chapter 13: Science and Exploration: Ocean Floors to Moon Dust
Chapter 16 Chapter 14: Environment and Interior: Air, Parks, Streams, and Wildlife
Chapter 17 Chapter 15: Agriculture: Farming with Land, Water, and Climate
Chapter 18 Chapter 16: Foreign and International Affairs and Defense: Intelligence, Development, Protection, and Attack
Chapter 19 Chapter 17: The Law and Justice System: Equity, Judgment, and Punishment
Chapter 20 Chapter 18: Processes and Epilogue
Chapter 21 Appendix A: Public and Non Profit Sector Leaders' Discussion Agenda
Chapter 22 Appendix B: Private Sector—Corporate Futures Planning
Chapter 23 Appendix C: Teacher's Discussion Guide
About the Author :
James T. Ziegenfuss, Jr. is Professor of Management and Health Care Systems in the graduate programs in public and health administration at Pennsylvania State University. Professor Ziegenfuss's previous book with University Press of America, Customer Friendly: The Organizational Architecture of Service is winner of the Choice 2007 Award for Outstanding Academic Title.
