ZOOMING THROUGH THE EVOLUTIONARY WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY CREATED AT THEKONDRATIEV IV V INTERFACE/

The field theory of living systems, and nested within that the theory of the Kondratiev cycle/structure, is reviewed and summarized. Particu lar emphasis is placed upon the evolution, instability, and structural change of macropsychological order-parameters and informational field s. The necessity of a fit between systems theory and applications to t he evolving, reconfiguring world of reality is stressed. Two major are as of application are presented: to policy-making and decision-making, and to education. A number of features of order-parameter or paradigm exhaustion in the mid-1990s are given, and difficulties in preparing for the next century are discussed. Failure to implement systems think ing, coupled with the actual implementation of nearsighted policies, m ay have led in the former communist world both to a local closed windo w of opportunity and a warning of imminent global closure. Means of in tervening in education and in policy-making, so as to induce self-orga nization of new order-parameters, are presented. Various implications for systems science are discussed. The role of the systems thinker as activist is emphasized.