In this examination of the transformations that modernization has brought or is bringing to political, economic, and cultural systems, emphasis is given to the consequences of these transformations for human potential in the modern age. An introductory section defining "modernism" is followed by sections devoted to nationalism and democratization. Seen as characteristic of the modernization process, nationalism and democratization are held responsible not only for political changes, but also for changed conceptions of human potential. Attention is then given to specific types of political systems in existence today. Four fundamental political issues--order, liberty, equality, and affluence are analyzed and closely related to aspects of human potential. Because political systems in transitional countries face fundamentally different situations with regard to these political questions than political systems in developed countries, specific types of systems are identified according to their approach to these issues. Next, in an examination of the international political system, the paper provides a general analysis of how modernization has transformed the international system. Changes in the function of culture are then discussed and related to changes in the nature of thinking necessary for participation in modern societies. The final chapter offers a summary of the relationship between human potential and these transformations and analyzes the difficulties of going "beyond modernism." (LH)