There are problems everywhere. Some believe that this is the defining characteristic of our era—an 'age of perpetual crisis.' If it’s true that our age is uniquely crisis-ridden, then there is a massive burden on our systems of governance to alleviate these problems before they ignite a chaotic reordering. Many of the issues we face cross borders and impact the future, requiring our institutions to evolve to address long-term challenges that will outlast our lifetimes.
This issue of FARSIGHT is dedicated to exploring what new forms of governance might emerge in response to these future challenges. Is global multilateralism becoming a relic of the past? Are we placing too much trust in data-driven models to navigate existential issues like climate change? Will the nation-state continue to be the primary locus of sovereignty in the future? And can the UN Summit for the Future deliver on its promise to enshrine long-term governance within the legislative frameworks of its member states?
Through insights from futurists, policymakers, and academics, we explore the difficulties in navigating long problems with a global reach. We hope the content within will inspire critical reflection on this vital question.