Why Poverty in the Present Matters for Intergenerational Concern and the Future of Humanity

Abstract

Contrary to perceived tensions between addressing present and future societal needs, we find present-day poverty and inequality are deeply connected with attitudes toward far-future welfare at both societal and individual levels. Study 1 (144 countries) shows that poorer, more unequal nations score lower on indices of intergenerational concern and farsighted policies. A Supplementary Study (34 countries, N = 123,502) shows that subjective SES predicts greater obligation to sacrifice for future lives, especially in nations with less inequality. In Study 2 (N = 1,264 Americans), individuals randomly assigned more resources allocate more to future generations, though not proportionately more. Replicating Study 1 and the Supplementary Study, real-world SES predicts higher donations beyond situational framings. Thus, combatting present-day societal challenges may be key to increasing concern and action for humanity’s future.