TY - JOUR
T1 - The need for durable institutions for future generations
T2 - Mobilising the citizenry
AU - Radavoi, Ciprian N.
AU - Rayman-Bacchus, Lez
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/9
Y1 - 2021/9
N2 - Institutions for future generations (IFGs) have lately become the subject of intense academic and political debate. That some had a short life prompted discussion about IFGs’ durability; indeed, to deliver any result at all, an institution first has to exist. One hurdle to the creation and survival of IFGs underlined in numerous studies is the lack of democratic legitimacy of an institution having power to limit the options of living generations in order to protect the presumed interests of future generations. Accordingly, there is some agreement that IFGs should be resumed, but with a foresight rather than decision making role. However, even in this benign form, IFGs are not safe from the vagaries of politics, unless they are constitutionally entrenched. We argue that referenda for amending the constitution to make room for the IFGs may succeed, through shaping citizens horizons of expectation, mobilisation of ‘good’ patriotism (or ‘civic/liberal nationalism’) among the citizenry, and a communications strategy of bonding past decisions, present challenges, and future prospects.
AB - Institutions for future generations (IFGs) have lately become the subject of intense academic and political debate. That some had a short life prompted discussion about IFGs’ durability; indeed, to deliver any result at all, an institution first has to exist. One hurdle to the creation and survival of IFGs underlined in numerous studies is the lack of democratic legitimacy of an institution having power to limit the options of living generations in order to protect the presumed interests of future generations. Accordingly, there is some agreement that IFGs should be resumed, but with a foresight rather than decision making role. However, even in this benign form, IFGs are not safe from the vagaries of politics, unless they are constitutionally entrenched. We argue that referenda for amending the constitution to make room for the IFGs may succeed, through shaping citizens horizons of expectation, mobilisation of ‘good’ patriotism (or ‘civic/liberal nationalism’) among the citizenry, and a communications strategy of bonding past decisions, present challenges, and future prospects.
KW - Civic nationalism
KW - Committee for the future
KW - Institutions for future generations
KW - Intergenerational ethics
KW - Patriotism
KW - Referendum
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85111709051&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.futures.2021.102820
DO - 10.1016/j.futures.2021.102820
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85111709051
SN - 0016-3287
VL - 132
SP - 1
EP - 9
JO - Futures
JF - Futures
M1 - 102820
ER -