ABSTRACT
Modern society, it has become increasingly apparent, is a "zero-sum" enterprise, in which the gains of one person, group, or interest are achieved at some cost to other individuals, groups, or interests. Scenarios are integrated and coherent perspectives on future societal development; they are based on a systematic demonstration of the interrelationship between various factors of which they are comprised. Favorable energy developments can be linked to moderate inflation, which in turn may restore values of collective concern. Even the element of energy supply may be brought under at least partial control by adequate institutional functioning and economic predictability; energy conservation and the development of renewable resources may be enhanced by a climate of interpersonal trust and institutional stability. However, the risk was great that the new policy would prove highly inflationary, and thereby its prospects were also great for precipitating a future closely resembling the Hard Luck scenario.
