Intergenerational Justice and Future Governance
Summary
Intergenerational justice addresses the moral obligation to distribute benefits and burdens fairly between present and future generations. Rooted in theories of distributive justice and sustainability, it challenges short-term policy cycles by demanding institutions and practices that safeguard long-term well-being. Future governance encompasses the political and administrative arrangements designed to anticipate emerging challenges—such as climate change, technological risk and demographic shifts—and to embed foresight into decision-making. Over the past decade, scholars have highlighted a range of innovations, including legislative foresight committees, independent guardians for future generations and sustainability councils. These mechanisms seek to overcome presentism by integrating expert advice, stakeholder engagement and binding mandates. Their global diffusion underscores a growing consensus that sustainable development and democratic legitimacy require institutionalised long-termism.
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Intergenerational Justice and Future Governance publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in intergenerational justice and future governance across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Intergenerational justice: A normative framework requiring fair allocation of resources and responsibilities across different generations.
Anticipatory governance: Institutional and procedural arrangements that integrate foresight methods to prepare for long-term risks and opportunities.
Temporal discounting: The tendency of individuals or institutions to prioritise immediate benefits over future gains, often undermining long-term policies.
Institutional guardian: A formal body established within government or parliament to represent and safeguard the interests of future generations in contemporary policymaking.
References
- Cross-country comparative analysis and case study of institutions for future generations. Futures (2023).
- Expanding anticipatory governance to legislatures: The emergence and global diffusion of legislature-based future institutions. International Political Science Review (2022).
- Institutional Proxy Representatives of Future Generations: A Comparative Analysis of Types and Design Features. Politics and Governance (2024).
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