Social Forecasting and Future

Book excerpt: On a broader plank, Can future be forecasted? The answer is not affirmative. If there is something known or defined as 'the future' then it can be attempted. The word future is a relational term it can be discussed as the future of something. Is it possible to forecast results? The answer is more not affirmative. Forecasts can specify the constraints or limits within which decisions can be effective. Forecasting has different modes. Social forecasting differs from other modes in its scope and techniques. The most important distinction is study of sociological variables that are independent or exogenous and least precise, which affect the behaviour of other variables. In the present paper, an attempt is made to use social forecasting methodology to find what is likely future.