The Future Is Ours: Foreseeing, Managing and Creating the Future

by Bloomsbury Academic

Overview

Why do we continue to think about, imagine, and forecast the future despite believing we will probably be wrong? Why do we need to do so? What does the future mean, and how do we relate to it? Is it possible that Western societies condition their members into inability to cope with the future?

These and other fundamental questions are explored in The Future Is Ours, which is written as an intermediate text for use in future-oriented modules within BA courses in International Business, Management, Urban Planning, and Environmental Politics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275956783
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/28/1996
Series:	Praeger Studies on the 21st Century
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

GRAHAM H. MAY is Principal Lecturer, Faculty of Design and Built Environment, at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. He is a professional member of the World Future Society and a member of the World Futures Studies Federation. He is prime mover of the newly founded UK Futures Group.

Table of Contents

Prologue
The Futures Debate
The Future: Forgotten but Ever Present
Some Problems of Futures-Thinking
If It Is So Difficult, Why Do It?
Ways of Thinking About the Future
Introduction
Foreseeing the Future
Managing, Planning and Creating the Future
Challenges and Opportunities for the 21st Century
The Future as Paradox
Epilogue
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

May (design, Leeds Metropolitan U. Manchester) defends the futurist perspective even though, he admits, predictions are often wrong. No matter, according to the author, since the process of future thinking implies that history is made, not given, and that our responsibility to future generations requires us to predict, extrapolate, judge, and consequently plan and creatively manage our futures. He presents, as well, what he sees as the nine paradoxes of mature economies and the challenges and opportunities presented for the 21st century. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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