The book reveals the peculiarities of our century, reveals the causes of the crisis of the communist movement, gives a description of the society that existed in the USSR, shows the need for the transition of all countries of the world to a market economy. How did scientific and technological progress affect in the XX century. on the development of the economy, art, religion, for our whole life? What radical changes took place in the 20th century in the education of people, in their value orientations? Why did global problems appear in our time? What are the prospects for the development of mankind? These and many other problems are addressed in the book.