Includes bibliographical references (page 139) and index.

Introduction -- Structure of the world system -- A world model: structure and assumptions -- Limits to growth -- Obvious responses will not suffice -- Toward a global equilibrium -- Epilogue. Examination of the structure of countervailing forces such as population growth, food production, capital investment, natural resources depletion, pollution, etc., at world level when exponential growth rate overburdens the environment - simulates world growth trends by means of a large-scale computer model and shows that a global equilibrium could be achieved if social policies and programmes were chosen taking into account the dynamic characteristics of world social systems. Flow charts.