Unmasking scenario planning: The colonization of the future in the ‘Local Governments of the Future’ program

Ossewaarde, Marinus R.R.

doi:10.1016/j.futures.2017.07.003

Cited by 23 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…A utilitarian equation unfolds in which territorial planning for the national future turns into a tool to designate sacrifice zones for the "greater good" (Silveira et al, 2017) 6 . The extrapolation of these present trends into the future through planning tools colonizes the latter (Ossewaarde, 2017). It impedes the envisioning of alternatives of the yet-to-come and an enlarged perspective of what is possible: "Colonization aims at ruling out openness, with the aim of shaping the future (preferably one that seems to be the product of predetermined trends that cannot be altered by human decisions) in which the current status quo is preserved" (Ossewaarde, 2017, p. 83).…”

Section: Futures As Open But Colonized Timespacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporalities in Friction: Planning and Temporal Violence in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Schwab

2023

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In the light of global challenges like climate change, the energy transition, and biodiversity loss, the possibility of a future ‘otherwise’ seems to shrink. The Amazon denominated “the lungs of the Earth” is a focal point in these discussions as its future is not just important to the (Indigenous) people who live there, but to humanity itself. As the past and the present of the Amazon are rather marked by violent encounters and an intensification of extractive endeavors, this article considers how these violent structures persist across time, but also how they can be broken up and transformed. Therefore, the concept of “temporal violence” is introduced, on the one hand, to grasp the enduring structures of violence that creep into future timespaces through (state) planning, and, on the other hand, to underline that this violence is just one possible future out of a multiplicity of futures – it potentially can be temporary. Merging the anthropological insights of the experiences of Indigenous grassroots organizations in planning their futures with critical futures studies, this article explores the possibilities of alternative futures to materialize. To this end, planning as a mechanism of power with both violent and subversive qualities is discussed. The central inquiry raised by this article is, hence, how planning can be an instrument for decolonization, challenging and altering relations of violence.

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Section: Futures As Open But Colonized Timespacesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporalities in Friction: Planning and Temporal Violence in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Schwab

2023

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“…Their key narrative is that the future is a more modern version of the past which means that fundamental structures of politics, society, and economy remain. Political authorities project established patterns, current policies, and today´s power constellations on the future conveying the impression that their political rule is indefinite, and history has ended (Ossewaarde 2017). In these specific future frames, present political, social, and economic structures are scarcely criticized and often prevail in the envisioned future.…”

Section: Ai Futures Frames As a Mirror Of The Pastmentioning

confidence: 99%

The making of AI society: AI futures frames in German political and media discourses

Köstler

Ossewaarde

2021

AI & Soc

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In this article, we shed light on the emergence, diffusion, and use of socio-technological future visions. The artificial intelligence (AI) future vision of the German federal government is examined and juxtaposed with the respective news media coverage of the German media. By means of a content analysis of frames, it is demonstrated how the German government strategically uses its AI future vision to uphold the status quo. The German media largely adapt the government´s frames and do not integrate alternative future narratives into the public debate. These findings are substantiated in the framing of AI futures in policy documents of the German government and articles of four different German newspapers. It is shown how the German past is mirrored in the German AI future envisioned by the government, safeguarding the present power constellation that is marked by a close unity of politics and industry. The German media partly expose the government´s frames and call for future visions that include fundamentally different political designs less influenced by the power structures of the past and present.

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“…Its goal, to devolve governmental tasks and responsibilities related to social care to local citizens, has been characterized by one observer as a Neo-liberal attempt to fortify the power of established elites who are preoccupied with economic and technological trends they view as immutable and unalterable. As this is hardly a recipe for adaptive citizen-driven transformation (Ossewaarde, 2017), the example further raises questions about the efficacy of local stakeholder initiatives. Discerning positive results from these activities with regard to citizen engagement is, thus, not always easy.…”

Section: Citizen Engagementlocal Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The future of citizen engagement in cities—The council of citizen engagement in sustainable urban strategies (ConCensus)

Elelman

Dávid

2018

Futures

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Efforts by European cities to engage residents in sustainability efforts began in earnest in the 1990s with the initiation of Local Agenda 21. While these efforts have heightened citizen awareness and facilitated exchange of information between citizens and decision-makers, most have not achieved broad, genuine, and continuous engagement in policy formulation. In no case has a local administration ceded responsibility for oversight to citizens. We prescribe a process for municipal administrations to effectively engage citizens in policy development and implementation for sustainability through the use of social networks, traditional media channels, and technical support for developing long-term policies.

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Unmasking scenario planning: The colonization of the future in the ‘Local Governments of the Future’ program

Cited by 23 publications

References 31 publications

Temporalities in Friction: Planning and Temporal Violence in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Temporalities in Friction: Planning and Temporal Violence in the Ecuadorian Amazon

The making of AI society: AI futures frames in German political and media discourses

The future of citizen engagement in cities—The council of citizen engagement in sustainable urban strategies (ConCensus)

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