"Gaps" and the (Re-)Invention of the Future: Social and Demographic Policy in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s

摘要: To argue that the future was (re-)invented in 1970s and 1980s might seem especially puzzling light of arguments optimism associated with utilitarian, modernization, socialist theories withered at time amidst widespread debate over a variety “crises.” Nonetheless, it this peculiar constellation ideas became fundamentally renegotiated. “New risks” were juxtaposed prevailing older social security predicated on individual collective risk management. Focusing West Germany, article examines various technical political debates “gaps” terms finances, demographics, trust system policy, which helped to put diagnoses “new squarely agenda. This demographic argument is particular interest, as dramatized unintended side effects policy created new, dystopian scenarios total systemic breakdown. At times, however, these discussions about managing risks Germany’s verged utopian. New concepts governmentality biopolitics prevailed context. Moreover, pragmatic sometimes technocratic new “governance” (and thus management) proposed by scientists politicians means address anxieties future, models risk-taking risk-managing individuals also flourished time. With their descriptive but prescriptive features, contributed ongoing academic efforts explain present risk.