A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
For the sake of the future: Can democratic deliberation help thinking and caring about future generations?
Authors: Kulha Katariina, Leino Mikko, Setälä Maija, Jäske Maija, Himmelroos Staffan
Publisher: MDPI AG
Publication year: 2021
Journal: Sustainability
Journal name in source: Sustainability (Switzerland)
Article number: 5487
Volume: 13
Issue: 10
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105487
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/58756903
Abstract
This article examines whether democratic deliberation can enhance participants’ capacity to consider future generations’ perspectives and willingness to make sacrifices to ensure their well-being. In addition to normal deliberation, we are interested in the effects of a mental time travel exercise where deliberators imagine themselves in the future (without ageing). The study is based on an experiment conducted as a part of Citizens’ Assembly that contributed to the long-term planning of the Satakunta region in Finland. Our findings suggest that deliberation as such increases participants’ willingness to consider future generations’ perspectives in long-term planning; yet the mental time travel exercise had only a modest impact on perspective-taking. The results also show some support for the assumption that deliberation can enhance willingness to make sacrifices for future generations, although we do not see such an impact in case of an intergenerational conflict in flood protection. View Full-TextKeywords: deliberation; future generations; future design
This article examines whether democratic deliberation can enhance participants’ capacity to consider future generations’ perspectives and willingness to make sacrifices to ensure their well-being. In addition to normal deliberation, we are interested in the effects of a mental time travel exercise where deliberators imagine themselves in the future (without ageing). The study is based on an experiment conducted as a part of Citizens’ Assembly that contributed to the long-term planning of the Satakunta region in Finland. Our findings suggest that deliberation as such increases participants’ willingness to consider future generations’ perspectives in long-term planning; yet the mental time travel exercise had only a modest impact on perspective-taking. The results also show some support for the assumption that deliberation can enhance willingness to make sacrifices for future generations, although we do not see such an impact in case of an intergenerational conflict in flood protection. View Full-TextKeywords: deliberation; future generations; future design
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