In the wake of the demographic shock of 2006, our society will undergo numerous changes: in working hours, professional status, pensions, as well as life-styles. But Michel Godet argues that the demographic winter that looms ahead can still be averted, and that we need not plunge into the slow growth which will sweep away all hope for the development of technology, employment and education. How can the scarcity of young professionals be avoided? How can immigrant populations be more fully integrated? What policies should be followed to enhance social cohesion? Growth is not an end in itself. If we question the meaning of the accumulation of wealth we will be led to conclude that the motivation behind human actions is not just the creation of goods, but the development of relations through the existence of common projects. “A militant and optimistic book, despite what is described as a 'twilight' landscape.” Les Échos “Michel Godet's analyses are doubly fascinating: first of all, they are well supported; secondly, they are clear and original. A gold mine of information.” Enjeux Le Choc 2006 was awarded a prize by the French Senate for the best economics book of 2003. Michel Godet is a professor at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, where he holds the chair of industrial forecasting. He is the author of Emploi, le grand mensonge (Fixot, 1994; Presses Pocket, 1999) and Manuel de stratégie prospective (Dunod, 2nd edition, 2001).