Futures Studies: from perceived injustice to the transformational present

Sohail Inayatullah

Chapter 8 in Handbook of Futures Studies, 2024, pp 98-116 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Using the Six Pillars approach to Futures Studies as context, this chapter develops a stage theory of use of the future. This first stage is “social injustice” - futures is used to increase and enhance agency. The second stage is “risk mitigation”. The future is used to map and understand emerging risks - to retain power. The third state is that of enhancing opportunities through exploring and creating “alternative futures”. The fourth stage is that of “directionality”, moving from divergent thinking to convergent thinking. Next, the fifth stage is “making the vision real”, solidifying the new reality, making it tangible. The final stage is “the metaphor” - linking outer and inner worlds. The purpose of futures studies is to move from anticipation to emancipation.

Keywords: Business and Management; Development Studies; Economics and Finance; Environment; Innovations and Technology; Politics and Public Policy Sociology and Social Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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