In a BP-belied, Wall Street weary, Afghanistan anguished world, reality is hopelessly fraught with post-ideological angst and apogee. Policy innovations are prescient plans for a dubious 21st Century. We examine the interface of social change and policy innovations and argue for a global renaissance. However, in the wake of recent meltdowns—from Darfur to the Gulf of Mexico—it's time to revisit civic culture, modernity and social development in light of their cumulative impact on inter- and intra-societal relationships. The implications of this analysis validate innovative policy intervention as key to social transformation.