Not Without a Voice: Defining the Basis of Representing Non-Overlapping Future Generations’ Interests in Contemporary Decision-Making

Starting from the assumption that future generations will come to exist, and that we, contemporary generations, hold an obligation to take their interests into account in our decision-making, it is evident that those interests need representation in the here and now. Various practical-philosophical proposals have come up with ideas of how representation of those interests could practically be fleshed out, for example by appointing youth representatives, special future generations’ representatives, an ombudsman or by installing a randomly selected general-purpose chamber or mini-publics. However, these practical accounts struggle to find a basis for representing those interests, as they cannot invoke the standard account of representation which requires actors to specifically authorize representatives to stand up for their interests and hold them accountable for their actions. Within future generations’ political philosophical literature other suitable accounts of representation have...Show moreStarting from the assumption that future generations will come to exist, and that we, contemporary generations, hold an obligation to take their interests into account in our decision-making, it is evident that those interests need representation in the here and now. Various practical-philosophical proposals have come up with ideas of how representation of those interests could practically be fleshed out, for example by appointing youth representatives, special future generations’ representatives, an ombudsman or by installing a randomly selected general-purpose chamber or mini-publics. However, these practical accounts struggle to find a basis for representing those interests, as they cannot invoke the standard account of representation which requires actors to specifically authorize representatives to stand up for their interests and hold them accountable for their actions. Within future generations’ political philosophical literature other suitable accounts of representation have been proposed for representing future generations’ interests: audience representation, surrogate representation, indicative representation and discursive representation. However, little research has been conducted on which account best represents future generations’ interests and why. In this thesis a standard is set as to weigh those accounts against each other. This, as to come to the conclusion that discursive representation, within our heads, is best suited to representing future generations’ interests. The conclusion is reached because it allows those interests to be weighed with equal respect.Show less

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Not Without a Voice: Defining the Basis of Representing Non-Overlapping Future Generations’ Interests in Contemporary Decision-Making