"Make no little plans," said President Barack Obama last spring as he rolled out a pitch for a high-speed rail network—yet another presidential initiative to lift America out of recession and chart a new national course. In that spirit, The Atlantic offers a few modest proposals for making the world a better place.

Rent Your Own Home

By Felix Salmon

Unleash the Dogs of Peace

By James S. Gibney

Give Up on Democracy in Afghanistan

By Andrew J. Bacevich

Privatize the Seas

By Gregg Easterbrook

Tell the Truth About Colleges

By Thomas Toch

Welcome Guest Workers

By Kerry Howley

Pay the Artists

By Felix Salmon

End All Taxes—Except One

By Reihan Salam

Civilize Homeland Security

By James Fallows

End the Corporate Income Tax

By Megan McArdle

Redesign the Dollar

By Michael Bierut

End the Vice Presidency

By Matthew Yglesias

Teach Drinking

By John McCardell

Buy to Last

By Ellen Ruppel Shell

Train Detroit

By Bruce Selcraig