编者按：80年代后期以来，西方国家经济、社会发生了一系列新变化，出现了许多新情况、新事物和新创造，对于我国的改革与发展具有广泛的借鉴作用。“世界经济”栏目从本期起将陆续发表李踪教授应邀为本刊撰写的文章，介绍“西方国家正在从工业社会转变到信息社会”、“西方国 Editor’s Note: Since the late 1980s, a series of new changes have taken place in the economy and society of Western countries, and many new situations, new things and new creations have emerged, which have extensive reference for China’s reform and development. The “World Economy” column will publish articles written by Prof. Li Tao for this publication one after another from this issue, introducing “Western countries are changing from industrial society to information society” and "Western countries.