Themes
Take the long view

Dream about the future you love.. Dare to speak up to those people and proposals that stand in its way. Have faith in not being alone
Work as if your great great grandchild was in the room with you
Actuar pensando en las 7 generaciones siguientes
There’s a narrow view of democracy which sees it simply as voting for elected representatives every few years.
But democracy is a living, daily process. It’s about much more than putting a cross in the box or a finger-print on the ballot paper.
The narrow view of democracy, not to mention the short-termism that can come from day-to-day human cultures or values, too often tie democracy to meeting short-term needs and wants.
Too often, the short-term preferences of voters today mean that long-term needs end up marginalised, or even not considered.
Finding ways to make sure that the practice of democracy takes proper account of the needs of future generations and of the long term doesn’t mean ignoring unfairness between people now.
But meeting the needs and preferences of people who are alive today shouldn’t mean narrowing opportunities for people who have not yet been born, nor constraining their ability to meet their needs.
There are also environmental limits to consider. The Earth’s natural processes have a series of natural boundaries that need to be respected if they’re to remain stable. Already, many scientists believe that we have crossed boundaries for climate change, biodiversity, and the nitrogen cycle. Respect for these essential earth system processes needs to be a key feature of the long-termism that is needed.
Here’s what the Manifesto for Democracy and Sustainability says about taking the long view.
Manifesto for Democracy and Sustainability Principle 2: Take the Long View
Democracy must plan for present and future human needs in ways that respect the earth’s natural limits. From the local to the global, the practice of democracy at every level urgently needs to overcome short-termism.
Commitments
We advocate the development and strengthening of independent institutions and processes designed to bring future generations and longer-term thinking and evidence into political processes from the local through to the global level.
Through our active citizenship at all levels, we will become advocates for future generations.