New Book by Dr Thomas Hale: ‘Long Problems: Climate Change and the Challenge of Governing across Time’

We are pleased to share news of the recent publication by Dr Thomas Hale, Associate Professor of Global Public Policy, Long Problems: Climate Change and the Challenge of Governing across Time.

The book explores the politics of climate change along with other “long problems.” Dr Hale shows why we find it hard to act before a problem’s effects are felt, why our future interests carry little weight in current debates, and why our institutions struggle to balance durability and adaptability. With long-term goals in mind, the book outlines strategies for tilting the politics and policies of climate change toward better outcomes.

Globalization “widened” political problems across national boundaries and changed our understanding of politics and governance. Dr Hale argues that we must make a similar shift to understand the “lengthening” of problems across time. The book describes tools and strategies that can, under certain conditions, allow policymakers to anticipate future needs and risks, make interventions that get ahead of problems, shift time horizons, adapt to changing circumstances, and set forward-looking goals that endure. As the climate changes, politics must, too. Efforts to solve long-term problems—not only climate change but other issues as well, including technology governance and demographic shifts—can also be a catalyst for a broader institutional transformation oriented toward the long term. With Long Problems, Dr Hale offers an essential guide to governing across time.

More information is available on the Blavatnik website here and the Princeton University Press page here.