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For the Sake of the Future: Can Democratic Deliberation Help Thinking and Caring about Future Generations?

Author

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  • Katariina Kulha

    (Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland)

  • Mikko Leino

    (Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland)

  • Maija Setälä

    (Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science, University of Turku, 20500 Turku, Finland)

  • Maija Jäske

    (Social Science Research Institute, Åbo Akademi University, 20500 Turku, Finland)

  • Staffan Himmelroos

    (Department of Politics and Communication, Helsinki University, 00100 Helsinki, Finland)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Katariina Kulha & Mikko Leino & Maija Setälä & Maija Jäske & Staffan Himmelroos, 2021. "For the Sake of the Future: Can Democratic Deliberation Help Thinking and Caring about Future Generations?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:10:p:5487-:d:554394
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sebastien Rojon & Jean-Benoit Pilet, 2021. "Engaged, Indifferent, Skeptical or Critical? Disentangling Attitudes towards Local Deliberative Mini-Publics in Four Western European Democracies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Stephen Elstub & Jayne Carrick & David M. Farrell & Patricia Mockler, 2021. "The Scope of Climate Assemblies: Lessons from the Climate Assembly UK," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Anatol Itten & Niek Mouter, 2022. "When Digital Mass Participation Meets Citizen Deliberation: Combining Mini- and Maxi-Publics in Climate Policy-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-25, April.
    4. Andrew G.H. Thompson & Oliver Escobar & Jennifer J. Roberts & Stephen Elstub & Niccole M. Pamphilis, 2021. "The Importance of Context and the Effect of Information and Deliberation on Opinion Change Regarding Environmental Issues in Citizens’ Juries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, September.

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