Logo image
Back
A precautionary tale: Y2K and the politics of foresight
Journal article   Peer reviewed

A precautionary tale: Y2K and the politics of foresight

J. Phillimore and A. Davison
Futures, Vol.34(2), pp.147-157
2002
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-3287(01)00052-0
url
Link to Published Version *Subscription may be requiredView

Abstract

In the wake of the minimal disruption to computer systems arising from the Y2K Millennium Bug, there has been a notable lack of discussion about whether the huge expenditures devoted to solving the problem were justified. The most common response was that they were worth it 'just to be on the safe side'. Furthermore, there were many related benefits in upgraded infrastructure and improved systems. We argue that in fact Y2K activity is an important if unexpected example of the 'precautionary principle' at work, i.e. acting in advance to ward off potential danger despite a lack of full scientific certainty about the extent of danger. It was unexpected because it was championed by corporations and governments who routinely oppose precautionary policies directed at environmental issues such as global warming. The paper outlines several reasons why Y2K was acted upon so swiftly while environmental issues are not, and explores what lessons may be learnt from the Y2K episode in terms of future strategies for dealing with environmental danger.

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#13 Climate Action
#15 Life on Land

Source: InCites

Metrics

56 Record Views
5 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Citation topics
6 Social Sciences
6.269 Political Philosophy
6.269.1929 Environmental Ethics
Web Of Science research areas
Economics
Regional & Urban Planning
ESI research areas
Economics & Business
Logo image