
Bringing in the Future
Strategies for Farsightedness and Sustainability in Developing Countries
William Ascher(Author)
University of Chicago Press
Published on 1. March 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-226-02917-7 (ISBN)
Description
Humans are plagued by shortsighted thinking, preferring to put off work on complex, deep-seated, or difficult problems in favor of quick-fix solutions to immediate needs. When short-term thinking is applied to economic development, especially in fragile nations, the results - corruption, waste, and faulty planning - are often disastrous. In "Bringing in the Future", William Ascher draws on the latest research from psychology, economics, institutional design, and legal theory to suggest strategies to overcome powerful obstacles to long-term planning in developing countries. Drawing on cases from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Ascher applies strategies such as the creation and scheduling of tangible and intangible rewards, cognitive exercises to increase the understanding of longer-term consequences, self-restraint mechanisms to protect long-term commitments and enhance credibility, and restructuring policy-making processes to permit greater influence of long-term considerations.
Featuring theoretically informed research findings and sound policy examples, this volume will assist policy makers, activists, and scholars seeking to understand how the vagaries of human behavior affect international development.
Featuring theoretically informed research findings and sound policy examples, this volume will assist policy makers, activists, and scholars seeking to understand how the vagaries of human behavior affect international development.
Reviews / Votes
"This is an imaginative and sophisticated treatment of a tremendously important, albeit extremely complicated, collection of topics. Few authors could have carried this off as well as Ascher, given his long and varied career as both a distinguished policy scientist and responsible practitioner. Indeed, he virtually draws on almost everything he knows as he classifies, inventories, and assesses dozens of different ways, means, and strategies to promote what he terms 'farsightedness.'" - Garry D. Brewer, Yale School of Management"More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Chicago
United States
Publishing group
The University of Chicago Press
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 23 mm
Width: 15 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight
510 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-226-02917-7 (9780226029177)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

William Ascher
Bringing in the Future
Strategies for Farsightedness and Sustainability in Developing Countries
E-Book
10/2009
1st Edition
University of Chicago Press
€41.69
Available for download
Person
William Ascher is the Donald C. McKenna Professor of Government and Economics at Claremont McKenna College. The latest of his numerous books are Guide to Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy and Revitalizing Political Psychology.