Future-Generation Government

Contributor: Nicholas Chesterley Nicholas Chesterley is a behavioural economist and public servant. He lives in Ottawa.

"[Future-Generation Government] is incredibly timely, necessary, and fundamental if we are to prepare for the next (and inevitable) pandemic. Chesterley offers a fresh perspective on short-termism and proposes clear, practical reforms that can help leaders respond to tomorrow's challenges without compromising today's democratic rights and freedoms." Midwest Book Review --- “Chesterley wrestles directly and engagingly with the gnawing question of how to square human short-termism with the long-term problems we face. Given that our lives and those of our children depend on the answer, this is a book we should all read.” David Halpern, author of Inside the Nudge Unit: How Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference --- “An engaging, carefully crafted, and convincing book. Chesterley uses storytelling to illustrate his rich arguments, showing how the tools of behavioural science, such as ‘nudging’ strategies, could be better used in contexts of power and politics to help make our governments more future-regarding.” Michael K. MacKenzie, author of Future Publics: Democracy, Deliberation, and Future-Regarding Collective Action --- “Future-Generation Government compellingly outlines the negative impact and future risk posed by short-term thinking while offering some persuasive ideas for tackling long-term social and political challenges. Chesterley’s argument is novel and informed by a keen understanding of organizational and individual behaviour. Highly recommended!” Sasha Tregebov, Behavioural Insights Team