Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description Almost all public policies have an inter-generational component and policy makers must therefore constantly weigh the demands of present generations against the interests of those yet to come. But what obligations exactly do we owe to future generations? And how might our policies and political institutions be changed to meet those obligations? This module tackles these issues in three stages. In the first stage (‘Priorities’) we draw on the resources of political theory and moral philosophy to look at the challenge of prioritising between competing demands that future generations make of us, whether environmental, economic, or cultural. In the second stage (‘Policies’) we turn to specific policy areas in which the problem of future generations (or of intergenerational conflict) looms especially large. These include (but are not limited to) climate change, elder care, urban planning, and the preservation of cultural patrimony. The final stage (‘Politics’) critically examines various proposals for embedding concern for future generations into our political institutions and practices. These range from lowering the voting age, the creation of an ombudsman for future generations (the Hungarian model), a parliamentary Committee of the Future (the Finnish model), legislation such as the Well-being of Future Generations Act (the Welsh model), and deliberative assemblies for the young. Students will evaluate these proposals not only according to the extent that they satisfy our intergenerational obligations, but also in terms of feasibility and likely trade-offs. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Understand the trade-offs that policy makers face in balancing the demands of present versus future generations 2. Intervene in normative debates concerning the rights of future generations and intergenerational justice 3. Evaluate competing institutional models for securing the interests of future generations 4. Acquire familiarity with policy challenges in areas such as elder care, urban planning, and language policy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Intergenerational justice Climate change Designing political institutions for future generations Reforming democracy Long term governance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||