The Future of Planning in a Changing World
Abstract
The post cold war world appears to be an era of unprecedented change. Nations are disintegrating in some places while in others they are forming supranational powers such as the European Union. Transnational threats such as narcotrafficing, crime and terrorism along with ecological problems, uncontrolled population growth and large- scale population migration create new challenges for the legitimacy of governments. New computer and telecommunications technologies are changing the nature and relationships of societies, nations, and economies creating new fault lines and flash points. In this turbulent environment the armed forces are called upon increasingly for operations other than war. These operations by their nature require increased coordination and cooperation among the departments and agencies of the government. In light of this increased requirement for coordination and the environment of global change it is time to assess the impact on the planner to determine if new or modified organizations or paradigms are needed to adapt effectively. This monograph uses three categories of change (co-evolution, punctuated equilibrium and tectonic plates) as metaphoric lenses through which the impact of change on the elements of national power can be assessed. By understanding the impact of the forces of change on the elements of national power we can more fully understand the environment within which the planner must operate and therefore how planners and their organizations should adapt.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA333378
Entities
People
- John M. Carmichael
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College