Long problems: climate change and the challenge of governing across time
Description
Political strategies for tackling climate change and other “long problems” that span generationsClimate change and its consequences unfold over many generations. Past emissions affect our climate today, just as our actions shape the climate of tomorrow, while the effects of global warming will last thousands of years. Yet the priorities of the present dominate our climate policy and the politics surrounding it. Even the social science that attempts to frame the problem does not theorize time effectively. In this pathbreaking book, Thomas Hale examines the politics of climate change and other “long problems.” He shows why we find it hard to act before a problem’s effects are felt, why our future interests carry little weight in current debates, and why our institutions struggle to balance durability and adaptability. With long-term goals in mind, he outlines strategies for tilting the politics and policies of climate change toward better outcomes.Globalization “widened” political problems across national boundaries and changed our understanding of politics and governance. Hale argues that we must make a similar shift to understand the “lengthening” of problems across time. He describes tools and strategies that can, under certain conditions, allow policymakers to anticipate future needs and risks, make interventions that get ahead of problems, shift time horizons, adapt to changing circumstances, and set forward-looking goals that endure. As the climate changes, politics must, too. Efforts to solve long-term problems—not only climate change but other issues as well, including technology governance and demographic shifts—can also be a catalyst for a broader institutional transformation oriented toward the long term. With Long Problems, Hale offers an essential guide to governing across time.
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Library Journal Review
Hale's (global public policy, Univ. of Oxford; Transnational Climate Change Governance) latest book focuses on the temporal disconnect between climate change predicaments and politics. He defines "long problems" as ones that take multiple generations to develop. Treating long problems is not in the nature of contemporary politics, Hale writes, as politicos and policies tend to take a short-term, here-and-now approach. He argues that long problems require fundamental changes to political practices and governance. This book takes a theoretical approach to discussing the multifaceted angles of this global hurdle from a political and social sciences perspective. Hale then applies that lens to the specific problem of climate change and advocates for getting away from short-term solutions and mindsets. The book is highly detailed and dense, so general audiences may find it a challenging read. VERDICT Best suited for academic readers interested in learning more about the link between climate change and political and social sciences.--Marjorie Mann
Library Journal Reviews
Hale's (global public policy, Univ. of Oxford; Transnational Climate Change Governance) latest book focuses on the temporal disconnect between climate change predicaments and politics. He defines "long problems" as ones that take multiple generations to develop. Treating long problems is not in the nature of contemporary politics, Hale writes, as politicos and policies tend to take a short-term, here-and-now approach. He argues that long problems require fundamental changes to political practices and governance. This book takes a theoretical approach to discussing the multifaceted angles of this global hurdle from a political and social sciences perspective. Hale then applies that lens to the specific problem of climate change and advocates for getting away from short-term solutions and mindsets. The book is highly detailed and dense, so general audiences may find it a challenging read. VERDICT Best suited for academic readers interested in learning more about the link between climate change and political and social sciences.—Marjorie Mann
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