Safeguarding the Future: Governing in an Uncertain World

by Jonathan Boston

In an era of populist politics, Brexit, Donald Trump, 24-hour news cycles and perpetual election campaigning, how do we govern well for the future? How do we take the long view, ensuring that present-day policy decisions reflect the needs and safeguard the interests of future generations? In this timely BWB Text, acclaimed policy scholar Jonathan Boston sets out what ‘anticipatory governance’ might look like in New Zealand. Confronted with a world becoming more uncertain by the day, this book is essential reading for anyone questioning how democratic societies can tackle the unprecedented challenges ahead.

Genres: Politics

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 4, 2017

Reviews

[Mitch Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The byline of this book “There is a presentist bias in policy making in the democratic world” caught my eye and made me want to pick this book up. For me this was one of the core issues of NZ’s last election with both major parties making a disappointing stand on systemic slow-burn and future-discounting issues like superannuation and capital gains tax. I appreciated Boston’s thoughtful analysis of these and other long term issues like climate change and the essential role that future-stewarted policy makes in caring for our children and grand-children. I’m left feeling that humanity’s inability to relate to the inherent intangibility of the future is perhaps the core issue that will limit the horizon on humanity’s future.