The Rights of Future Generations
The
concept of "generational justice" may very well become an intellectual leitmotiv
of the new century. But what does the term "generational justice" actually mean?
One possible working definition might be based on the principle of equality,
understanding the term to mean that no generation should be better or worse
off than another. This definition of generational justice can be narrowed down
to: "No generation should be deliberately favoured or disadvantaged over another".
Having said that, the definition of generational justice can also be broadened
in scope: Not only should future generations not be worse off, but (so it might
be argued) it is also morally imperative and therefore politically desirable
that their lot be improved. Generations to date have experienced growth and
increasing affluence, and justice would require them to ensure that this remains
possible for future generations. Were the idea that children should be better
off than their parents to be lost, then a key incentive to action by parents
would disappear. The "generational justice principle" is directly relevant in
at least six policy areas: environmental policy, fiscal policy, pensions policy,
labour market policy, education policy and youth policy. In ecological terms
for example, a society can only be considered generationally just if it is ecologically
sustainable, i.e. if it maintains its natural capital.
But what concrete form would a generationally just policy assume? Its supreme
objective (or telos) is the just distribution of official positions, persons,
goods, services, information, nature and the environment, wealth, minerals,
and the natural resource base vital to global sustainability, between the generations
(including those of the future).
At this point the responsibility principle forms a key component of generational
justice. The generation currently alive and acting bear responsibility for the
consequences of their actions, and especially for ensuring that those consequences
are conducive to the natural resource base on which life depends remaining available
to future generations on an equal and just footing. Hence generational justice
means shaping the future. Shaping the future at the same time always means shaping
the present, since the opportunities to shape the future and our responses to
them only ever arise in the present. On the other hand, the present actively
shaped by the current generation is at the same time always the present passively
experienced by future generations.
"Generational justice" also constitutes a new category of political thought
and action. The generations of centuries past were not familiar with this particular
concept of a diachronic guiding principle. Formerly, each successive generation
always ultimately had to carry the burdens of their "creators". The scientific
and technological limitations of humankind always meant that these burdens were
tolerable and manageable - with the exception of the wars which occurred. Unlike
history's previous generations, today's generations are in a position to make
the continued existence of future generations on this planet impossible. Atomic
waste, unsafe nuclear power plants, nuclear weapons arsenals, biological and
chemical weapons, global climate change, the extinction of animal and plant
species, environmental contamination, and the extensive anthropogenic destruction
of ecosystems (e.g. rain forests and oceans) are but some examples of these
potentials. The list could be continued. The power of technology has led to
a breach in the continuity of generations hitherto taken for granted.
Given these terrifying and hitherto unknown technological potentials which are
continuing to accelerate at an unprecedented rate, the generations of parents
and grandparents who today hold the reins of political power are capable of
profoundly influencing and changing the natural resource base on which human
life depends. Those changes are potentially so radical that policymakers need
to follow a new ethical imperative that goes beyond the dimension of the legitimate
assertion of interests and distributive justice.
The "generational justice principle" thus forms the rational philosophical basis
for a new dialogue between young and old, a new theoretical rationale for co-existence
between the generations. In other words, this amounts to the underpinning of
a new generational contract. Justice between the generations must therefore
become a guiding principle for human action in the present. Yet quite the reverse
can be observed today. The older generation are waging wars, and sometimes ruthlessly
exploiting raw materials as in the USA. Clean water, clean air and intact soil
are becoming increasingly precious goods, which will lead to fierce competition
for these resources in the future. The follow-on costs, and the irreparable
damage and losses, will have to be borne by future generations. Finally, the
question should be raised of why we young people are such fervent advocates
of generational justice. This is not for reasons of selfishness, but is based
on legitimate, responsible and long-term interests. By contrast, earlier generations
found the issue of a just reconciliation of interests between young and old
not worth discussing. But we and our children have no desire to be a lost generation
forced to face the rubble of a war waged unconsciously by our parents against
the resources of this planet so vital to its sustainability. It is time to act.
Now.
Jörg Tremmel
Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations
www.szrg.de