The twentieth century has marked a clear watershed not only in mankind’s social history but in its very destiny.
The outgoing century is different from those that preceded it in that, for the first time ever, mankind cannot regard itself as immortal, for it has become aware that its dominion over nature has limits and may even threaten its own survival.
Even if nuclear war can be avoided, the threat to mankind will remain, for the Earth may one day no longer have the capacity to bear the burden of human activity.
It is becoming increasingly clear that the historic form of mankind’s existence that produced modern civilization, with all its seemingly boundless possibilities and comforts, has also engendered a multitude of problems that need to be addressed without delay.
Solutions can, in principle, be found. The twentieth century has taught people many lessons. The emerging social, economic, political and information interconnectedness of all parts of the world community is objectively preparing the ground for joint efforts that could avert the threat of a „creeping catastrophe“ and solve global problems on a planetary level. There is, after all, no other way to succeed.
In that sense, the twentieth century can be said to be the beginning of a transition to a new era; for mankind, the end of this century is a crucial fork in the road, a time to respond to the challenges of the future. Should we swim with the flow, or can we harness the available knowledge and experience, can we manage the processes of globalization and identify appropriate responses?