Long Problems: Climate Change and the Challenge of Governing Across Time

Hale’s (global public policy, Univ. of Oxford; Transnational Climate Change Governance) latest book focuses on the temporal disconnect between climate change predicaments and politics. He defines “long problems” as ones that take multiple generations to develop. Treating long problems is not in the nature of contemporary politics, Hale writes, as politicos and policies tend to take a short-term, here-and-now approach. He argues that long problems require fundamental changes to political practices and governance. This book takes a theoretical approach to discussing the multifaceted angles of this global hurdle from a political and social sciences perspective. Hale then applies that lens to the specific problem of climate change and advocates for getting away from short-term solutions and mindsets. The book is highly detailed and dense, so general audiences may find it a challenging read.