Robert Heilbroner's book follows in the trajectory of his well-known The Future As History and other explorations in political economy. Briefly, and with great power, he develops the global predicament of man today, confronted with runaway populations, obliterative weaponry, and a closing environmental vise. From these familiar problems, Professor Heilbroner extracts unfamiliar conclusions that present extraordinary challenges for industrial capitalism and socialism alike. This leads in turn to an original exposition of the "political elements in human nature" that may provide the necessary strength to avoid catastrophe. Absorbing reading for students in a broad range of college courses.