Rescuing All Our Futures: The Future of Futures Studies (Praeger Studies on the 21st Century) [Paperback]

Ziauddin Sardar (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Praeger Studies on the 21st Century | Publication Date: March 30, 1999

The future is the last frontier where nonwestern societies are still free--free to envision desirable futures based on their own worldviews, cultures, and traditions. Yet the discipline of futures studies, this volume argues, has abandoned its goal of exploring such diverse and alternative futures in favor of a single, myopic vision that is incapable of seeing outside the framework of western thought and action. Its overemphasis on forecasting and prediction, its overpreoccupation with technology, and its neglect of nonwestern cultures and concerns have transformed the discipline into an instrument for the colonization of the future. Distinguished contributors from a variety of cultural and disciplinary backgrounds discuss ways of bringing multiculturalism and plurality to the heart of futures studies and point towards new, decolonizing directions. This groundbreaking text will be essential reading for all those interested in helping shape more pluralistic and humane futures.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Argues that the discipline of future studies is dominated by a single, myopic vision that is incapable of seeing outside the framework of western thought.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

ZIAUDDIN SARDAR is an internationally renowned writer, futurist, and cultural critic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Paperback (March 30, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275965597
• ISBN-13: 978-0275965594
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,123,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Democracy requires serious futures research, June 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rescuing All Our Futures: The Future of Futures Studies (Praeger Studies on the 21st Century) (Hardcover)

Anyone seriously interested in the establishment and maintenance of meaningful democracy (as opposed to the obviously ineffective and costly charade passing for democracy in most of contemporary western culture) will find much of value to ponder in Sardar's collection of essays by an impressive list of the world's penetrating futures thinkers. Any serious futures researchers, professional or otherwise, interested in studying and/or facilitating compatible and productive futures for all of humanity (as opposed to simply being hired hands attempting to guarantee their personal income, consciously or otherwise marginalizing the vast majority of humanity by colonizing the future for ever bigger and more profitable but polluting businesses busily marketizing everything in sight) will find the book both challenging and enlightening about the severity of the problem. Sardar himself appears mildly pessimistic about the prospects but determined to use his considerable insight to wage the crucial battle for the futures of humanity.