Six leading social scientists from Western countries and Yugoslavia

spent nearly three years discussing social, economic and cultural con-

flicts of the modern world and how they can be alleviated. The

resulting document is a major statement on the crises we face in

contemporary society.

Each of the six contributorsmRudi Supek (Yugoslavia), Hans

Peter Dreitz~l (West Germany), Serge Moscivici (France), Richard

Sennett (UIS.), Norman Birnbaum (U.S.), Alain Touraine (France)

--is a prominent intellectual in his country. What emerges from their

essays is a common assumption that the most fundamental categories

of the contemporary social, cultural and political experience no longer

correspond to the existing situation in the world.

Currem ideas no longer function as they should. Neither scientific

nor partisan, the six authors attempt to set directions for the future,

to boldly suggest ways in which we can go ,beyond the crisis" and

establisha Society better able to deal with today s problems.

The authors share a hope for democratization of economic and

social structures. They also share cultural values, a belief in human

autonomy and creativity, and their work bespeaks respect for cultural

tradition.

Together, the thoughts and proposals of these six important fig-

ures previde the elements of a new analysis which could give us new

categories of social thought.