Exploring Cultural Diversity in Scenario Planning and Futures Thinking Practices

This chapter deals with how the future is anticipated and approached across cultures and political traditions. The aim is to explore cultural aspects to be considered in scenario planning and future thinking across nations, cultures, and traditions in policymaking. The analysis draws on Geert Hofstede’s dimensions of culture and Sheila Jasanoff’s concept of civic epistemologies. Through the lenses of a preliminary list of main aspects to consider in scenario planning and futures thinking, the chapter reviews conceptual and practice-oriented literature in foresight and futures studies. Our focus has been reviewing texts that contrast Western models and thinking. This process has resulted in twenty more detailed aspects and dilemmas for practitioners to consider in scenario planning and futures thinking across nations, cultures, and traditions in policymaking.