ABSTRACT
This chapter describes that, in advanced societies, public policies are designed by social technologies, such as normative macroeconomics and the law; these are in turn expected to be based on applied sciences, such as positive economics and sociology. It suggests that both views are simplistic: that special interests shape politics and conversely; and that politics induce policy, which in turn steers politics. The chapter also suggests that midway position as long as the huge North-South gap remains, and no effective global governance is in place. It aims for systemic changes—for instance, not only in the economy but also in the polity and the culture. The chapter distinguishes agents of three kinds—designers, analysts, and marketers. It presents arguments of two kinds: logical and praxiological. It looks at the individual in his social environment. The chapter examines a systemic take on delinquency. Development will require huge technological and demographic inputs. The technological challenge is to drastically reduce the total material requirement.
