A general introduction to computer based national information systems, and the context and basis for future studies are provided in this report. Chapter One, the introduction, summarizes computers and information systems and their relation to society, the structure of information policy issues, and public policy issues. Chapter Two describes the background and purpose of the study, and Chapter Three examines the current states of computer technology and information industries and their projected future developments. These topics are elaborated on in Chapters 13 and 14. Political, economic, and social trends are identified in Chapter Four, and Chapter Five discusses political, economic, and social trends that affect the use of computer-based information systems. An analysis of selected policy issues which may confront Congress over the next decade are discussed in Chapters Six to 12 and include innovation, productivity, employment, privacy, computer systems security, government management of data processing, society's dependence on information systems, constitutional rights, and regulatory and other issues. (RBF)