Speaking for the Voiceless? Representative Claims-Making on Behalf of Future Generations in Belgium

Abstract Given that modern democracies face generation-transcending policy challenges, this study asks whether the interests of future generations are sufficiently taken into account in present-day parliamentary politics. Through analysis of parliamentary documents in Belgium (2010–2019), we examine whether present-day MPs make representative claims on behalf of future generations, how such claims are made and by whom. We find that MPs do formulate claims, but only to a limited extent and with little or no justification. Moreover, claims-making is driven by electoral-strategic considerations.... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Vermassen, Daan
Caluwaerts, Didier
Erzeel, Silvia
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2022
Reihe/Periodikum: Parliamentary Affairs ; volume 76, issue 3, page 579-599 ; ISSN 0031-2290 1460-2482
Verlag/Hrsg.: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-28952718
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
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Link(s) : http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pa/gsac002

Abstract Given that modern democracies face generation-transcending policy challenges, this study asks whether the interests of future generations are sufficiently taken into account in present-day parliamentary politics. Through analysis of parliamentary documents in Belgium (2010–2019), we examine whether present-day MPs make representative claims on behalf of future generations, how such claims are made and by whom. We find that MPs do formulate claims, but only to a limited extent and with little or no justification. Moreover, claims-making is driven by electoral-strategic considerations. Only those who hold prominent positions make claims for future generations and fewer claims are made in election years.