ABSTRACT
The objective of this chapter is to prompt questions about relationships between developments in strategic planning and global trends. The chapter presents six case studies. The first three case studies discuss Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in America, the French government and long-term planning, and the strategic management in German governments. The next three case studies discuss the strategic planning in Saudi Arabia, strategic management and democracy in Saudi Arabia, and China's economic system that has been changing from a planned economy to a market economy with Chinese characteristics, the five-year planning system remains one of the driving forces of national development. The case studies may unloosen some preconceived ideas about strategic planning and challenge some taken-for-granted assumptions about its nature and prospects. They could provide some clues about the diverse pathways being taken by governments to develop strategic planning and improve their ability to steer their country's economy and society.
