"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