THE CHASM AHEAD

320 Pages·1969·6.96 MB·English

by  AURELIO PECCEI

AURELIO PECCEI
An overview of a world in crisis—why the
growing gap between the United States
and Europe is a tragedy and what can
be done now to stave off disaster
„ The
Jiasin
Ah
"Only the cooperation of all advanced peo-
ples—East and West—can maintain the world
system in a general direction of civilized de-
velopment. This," the author writes, "is what
this book is about."
The Chasm Ahead is a brilliant and informed
analysis of the menacing technological gap
that now separates the United States and
Europe—with what may eventually be dire
consequences. Aurelio Peccei speaks not to
the expert, who is already well aware this
gap exists, but to the modern, open-minded
general reader who desires a better under-
standing of the problems of our time.
Mr. Peccei first examines the state of affairs
as technology increasingly separates America
and Europe, using "technology" to mean the
organized application and utilization of
knowledge to make products, services, and
techniques available in the market and to
society in general. Next, he presents in per-
spective the situation and ills of the entire
world system, East-West, North-South. Lastly,
the book outlines a new approach, to the
macroproblems of our technological age—a
courageous departure from current thinking
(Continued on back flap)
The Chasm Ahead

A U R E L IO P E C C EI
The Chasm Ahead
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
COLLIER-MACMILLAN LTD., LONDON
Copyright © 1969 by Aurelio Peccei
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage
and retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the Publisher.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 69-11395
First Printing
The Macmillan Company
Collier-Macmillan Canada Ltd., Toronto, Ontario
Printed in the United States of America
To Paola, Roberto and Riccardo,
and Kiko, Jocie and Jean,
and to their children and all their young friends

Contents
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xiii
PART ONE
The Cleavage Across the Atlantic i
Chapter 1 The Technological Gap I
Aftermath of the Technological Revolution I
The Dispute about the Gap 6
Difficulty of Sizing up the Issue 10
The Gap in Computers 15
From Nuclear Energy to Aerospace
and Telecommunications 18
The Greater United States Effort in
Research and Development 24
Comparative Size and Productivity 26
Brain Training—and Draining 29
Facing the Gap 33
Chapter 2 The Meaning of the Gap 37
A Historical Parallel 37
The American Forward Stance 41
The Pessimistic View of Europe 55
A Metaphor for Our Times 62
vii
CONTENTS
Consequences of the Gap 68
Chapter 3 Principles for an Atlantic Strategy 73
A New Approach Is Required 73
The Principles of Priority and Interdependence 77
The Role of the United States 80
The Role of Europe 89
The Principle of Leadership 96
PART TWO
The World in Convulsion 103
Chapter 4 Between Explosion and Convergence 103
The New Divisive Forces 103
Which Way the Soviet Union? 118
The Emergence of "One World" 135
Chapter 5 A Tidal Wave of Global Problems 159
Urban Problems—Not the Largest 159
The Dramatic Race Between Population and Food 164
The Unmet Demand for Economic Development 176
The Necessity of Building a Second World 193
The Immense Challenge of Education 197
The Progressive Degradation of Our Ecosystem 203
Global Dimensions to Our Thinking 211
PART THREE
The Great Change of Direction 219