Why Poverty in the Present Matters for Intergenerational Concern and the Future of Humanity

Le résumé fourni par la source

Contrary to perceived tensions between addressing present and future societal needs, we find present-day poverty and inequality are deeply connected with attitudes toward far-future welfare at both societal and individual levels. Study 1 (144 countries) shows that poorer, more unequal nations score lower on indices of intergenerational concern and farsighted policies. A Supplementary Study (34 countries, N = 123,502) shows that subjective SES predicts greater obligation to sacrifice for future lives, especially in nations with less inequality. In Study 2 (N = 1,264 Americans), individuals randomly assigned more resources allocate more to future generations, though not proportionately more. Replicating Study 1 and the Supplementary Study, real-world SES predicts higher donations beyond situational framings. Thus, combatting present-day societal challenges may be key to increasing concern and action for humanity’s future.

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