Introduction
Most analysts and commentators shrugged off Trump’s bid for the White House as farcical, gaving him little chance. He defied them and is now president-elect Trump, putting much of the US populace in shock, and transforming the political landscape.
For many, Trump is synonymous with a litany of contemporary problems: racism, misogyny, fake news and click bait, internet trolling, fascism and authoritarianism, oligarchy, and the cult of the celebrity. Is Trump’s victory a litany event masking deeper forces, or the triumph of a worldview in itself, or other? What is really happening?
This symposium seeks to develop a deeper understanding of the Trump phenomenon from the point of view of futures studies and foresight, to develop forward looking views that will help us to navigate a new political landscape, and to develop new pathways for action and empowerment. Perspectives that see Trump in a broader global context: the rise of Daesh, Brexit, the European-Syrian refugee crisis, and dramatic changes in the political-economy of western nations and demographic shifts (minority-majority flips) are encouraged.
Each contribution is required to not only provide some analysis or perspective on the present situation, but to also say something useful about future politics.
Contributions can use a variety of futures studies perspectives:
· Scenarios and alternative futures
· Critical futures and narrative (e.g. Causal Layered Analysis)
· Macro-history and the longue durée
· Analysis of social change (emerging issues, weak signals)
· Preferred futures and visions
· Cultural and interpretive approaches
· Future-oriented action approaches (social innovation, design, policy dev)
… or can use other perspectives that offer insights into the futures of politics in light of the Trump victory.
Format
Contributions can be between 1000 and 3000 words long.
The symposium will accept approximately 9 contributions, which will be accepted on the criteria of timeliness and quality of writing and analysis.
Due dates
- 100 word proposals are due December 12th, 2016
- Drafts of essays are due January 10th, 2017
- Papers will be reviewed by January 20th, 2017
- Final papers with changes need to be submitted by January 30th. 2017
- Email submissions to jose@actionforesight.net