Just as programs and organizations have too frequently been established for the presumed benefit of mankind but do not work out as expected because the social methods available are not good enough, so the author proposes that the existence of social problems in general bespeak the need for new social inventions. Social inventions provide laws, organizations, or procedures that constitute the social machinery that permit society to implement its ideals. In the first portion of this book, the theory, nature, and process of social inventions are described in relation to education, mental health, social services, and other fields. The latter section contains a list of social inventions and a brief note of the when, where, who and why for each. The list is categorized as to general, legal, welfare, educational, governmental, voluntary, and psychological social inventions. (Author/KSM)