A public opinion survey of four future scenarios for Australia in 2050

Journal article


Chambers, Ian, Costanza, Robert, Zingus, Logan, Cork, Steve, Hernandez, Marcello, Sofiullah, Ahmad, Htwe, Thet Z., Kenny, Danny, Atkins, Paul W., Kasser, Tim, Kubiszewski, Ida, Liao, Yilei, Maung, Aye Chan, Yuan, Keyi, Finnigan, David and Harte, Sean. (2019). A public opinion survey of four future scenarios for Australia in 2050. Futures. 107, pp. 119 - 132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2018.12.002
AuthorsChambers, Ian, Costanza, Robert, Zingus, Logan, Cork, Steve, Hernandez, Marcello, Sofiullah, Ahmad, Htwe, Thet Z., Kenny, Danny, Atkins, Paul W., Kasser, Tim, Kubiszewski, Ida, Liao, Yilei, Maung, Aye Chan, Yuan, Keyi, Finnigan, David and Harte, Sean
Abstract

Scenario planning and the use of alternative futures have been used successfully to assist organisations, communities and countries to move towards desired outcomes (Dator, 2009). In this study we used a unique combination of scenario planning and a national public opinion survey to explore preferred futures for Australia in 2050. The approach used four future scenarios for Australia in 2050 as the basis for an online national public opinion survey entitled Australia: Our Future, Your Voice. Scenario development was based on a review of a broad range of scenarios for Australia and globally. We then developed four synthesis scenarios based on two axes of individual versus community orientation, and national focus on GDP growth versus a focus on well-being more broadly defined. The scenarios were labelled: (1) Free Enterprise (FE); (2) Strong Individualism (SI); (3) Coordinated Action (CA); and (4) Community Well-being (CW). We created a website that described each of these scenarios and invited people to complete a survey after they had reviewed the scenarios. The survey engaged 2575 adults in two groups: (1) a targeted statistically representative national sample (n = 2083) and (2) a self-selected sample (n = 492). Results from both groups and across all demographic categories revealed that a majority of participants preferred the Community Well-being (CW) scenario. 73% (Representative) and 61% (Self Select) ranked this scenario as 1st or 2nd. We also asked which scenario Australia was headed toward. 32% of the Representative sample and 50% of the Self-Selected sample participants ranked the Free Enterprise (FE) scenario as the most likely future. CW was ranked least likely to be ‘where Australia is heading?’ The dissonance between the future Australians want and where they thought the country is headed has clear policy implications, which we discuss. This extension of scenario planning to include public opinion surveys is novel and this approach can be used to improve thinking, discussion, planning and policy about the future of Australia, as well as potentially other countries and regions.

KeywordsAustralia; future scenarios; sustainability; Australia’s future
Year2019
JournalFutures
Journal citation107, pp. 119 - 132
PublisherPergamon
ISSN0016-3287
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2018.12.002
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85061297816
Page range119 - 132
Research GroupInstitute for Positive Psychology and Education
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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