The Politics of Deep Time

Human societies increasingly interact with processes on a geological or even cosmic timescale.

Despite this recognition, we still lack a basic understanding of these interconnections and how they translate into politics.

This Element provides an exploration and systematization of 'the politics of deep time' as a novel lens of planetary politics in three steps.

First, it demonstrates why deep-time interactions render the politics of deep time essential; second, it asks how deep time should be politicized and third, it explicates the politics of deep time by examining representative cases.

The Element also formulates a conceptual framework to open up possibilities for alliances that seek to better understand and realize the politics of deep time, pioneering a debate on how planetary temporalities can be politically institutionalized.

This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.