In an era increasingly defined by crises—ranging from climate change and transnational security threats to geopolitical tensions and technological revolutions—the role of National States is undergoing a profound revaluation, and we are compelled to reconsider our collective strategies. We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture characterized by interconnected systemic changes that fundamentally transform societies around the world. Such deep transformations require coordinated action across various sectors, particularly demanding a profound reflection (1) on the current capacity and preparedness of States to respond to the challenges of our time as well as (2) on which other models of governance could possibly champion a transition toward more sustainable and socially equitable futures.
On the one hand, the steady dismantling of democracies and the rise of autocratic regimes have been fuelled by narratives forging causalities between “weak States” and national or global instabilities. On the other hand, welfare and interventionism have been rejected by groups supporting notions of a minimalist State as the way to mitigate undesired or unexpected effects to account imbalances and contemporary changes in the global flow of capital. Authoritarianism and resistance to investment in public goods are only two of the numerous obstacles faced today by those trying to pave the way to the imagination and the construction of alternative futures to humanity, but above all, of models of governance that could be aligned with commitments to more inclusive, more sustainable, and greener paths.
Considering the increasing role of temporality in political debates and recent efforts in place to map commitments, possibilities and strategies to a better future, such as discussions, pacts and negotiations held in the context of the G20 and the UN Summit the Future, this panel invites scholars to engage in a critical exploration of the State of future. What transformative investments are necessary? Which reforms should drive government institutions to adapt to these emerging realities? How can we establish national and international cooperative systems that effectively foster and protect global public goods? What state capabilities are required to realize these desired futures? Whose desired futures? Which paradigms may need to be replaced?