Bringing in the Future : Strategies for Farsightedness and Sustainability in Developing Countries.
Title:
Bringing in the Future : Strategies for Farsightedness and Sustainability in Developing Countries.
Author:
Ascher, William.
ISBN:
9780226029184
Personal Author:
Physical Description:
1 online resource (343 pages)
Contents:
Contents -- List of Tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Part I. The Challenges and Hopes for Farsighted Action -- 1 The Challenge of Farsightedness -- 2 The Root Causes of Shortsightedness and Their Manifestations in Developing Countries -- 3 Gaining Traction to Overcome Obstacles to Farsightedness -- Part II. Structuring Rewards and Risks -- 4 Creating and Rescheduling Tangible Benefits and Costs -- 5 Creating and Rescheduling Social and Psychological Rewards -- 6 Realigning Performance Evaluation -- 7 Self-Restraint Instruments -- Part III. Improving Analytic Frameworks -- 8 Analytic Exercises -- 9 Deepening Problem Definitions -- Part IV. Framing the Appeals -- 11 The Triple Appeal Principle -- 12 Managing Heuristics -- Part V. Changing the Policy Process -- 13 Empowering and Insulating the Farsighted Leader -- 14 Structuring Decision-Making Processes -- 15 Conclusions -- Notes -- References -- Index.
Abstract:
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.
Local Note:
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2017. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.
Genre:
Electronic Access:
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