The Future of Political Life
This research examines how uncertainty connects to economic, cultural and environmental challenges, and explores how democracy can be reimagined to better respond to today’s conditions.
The challenge
Global politics are being affected by major armed conflicts, economic instability, erosion of democratic rights, growing persecution of political dissent, and widespread denials of existential global challenges such as climate change. We are witnessing the rise of populism, post-truth movements, growing inequalities, and a lack of trust in politics and political systems.
How can we understand the causes and consequences of this overwhelming uncertainty and volatility? What is being done to mitigate for its effects and address the different challenges that emerge in it?
What we do
Our research approaches the question of uncertainty, by exploring the complex range of practices and processes that make it today a condition that is closely interlinked with economic, cultural, and environmental challenges. It seeks to explore how we can re- imagine democracy for the 21st century and design democratic and deliberative systems that are suited to the challenges we currently face.
Our projects
PROCOL Lebanon
Our research in Lebanon focuses on inclusive, prosperous futures for communities affected by mass displacement, working with local communities to explore pathways that improve quality of life.
TAKHAYYUL: A Theory of Imagination
Takhayyul is an ERC-funded project led by social anthropologist Dr Sertaç Sehlikoglu, studying imaginative forces shaping populist religious aspirations across the Balkans, Middle East and South Asia.
Bridges for Ukraine
Bridges for Ukraine is a UCL Institute for Global Prosperity initiative supporting Ukraine’s recovery, bringing together Ukrainian and international expertise for sustainable inclusive reconstruction.
Featured publications and podcasts
White paper: Building Bridges for Ukraine. Pathways to Sustainable Prosperity
This paper explores how Ukraine’s reconstruction can support inclusive and resilient development through collaboration, innovation and new approaches to long-term prosperity.
Blog: Why imagination matters: the transformative power of 'social imaginaries'
Sertaç Sehlikoglu explores imagination as a force shaping social and ecological realities, drawing on the TAKHAYYUL project and Istanbul research to rethink prosperity and belonging.
Working paper: Vitality in Work: Stories from Ras Beirut
This third paper in the Lives and Livelihoods in Turbulent Times series is a photo essay by the Al’a project (Lara Sabra and Nessim Stevenson) that tells the story of three Ras Beirut residents.
Working paper: Imagining the Future of Politics in Syria
This working paper examines Syria's post-Assad political future through the constitution, tracing gender exclusion and identifying transformative pathways for change.
TAKHAYYUL: Imagining Turkey Podcast
This bi-monthly podcast series offers unfamiliar ways of looking at the political transformation that Turkey has been going through at the national and international level.
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