Future concepts in Russia and Germany: different approaches to planning in the global society

Abstract

This empirical study explores future concepts of job migrants and compares them with the future concepts of non-migrants. The uncertainty and multi-optionality of the migrants' life situations are regarded as symptomatic of today's society. Migrants are forced to experience unpredictability and an impossibility to plan as thoroughly and strongly as other members of society. Consequently, the description of their future time concepts points out the upcoming general changes. The study shows that migrants develop specific strategies of planning, time investment, time saving and handling of time scarcity. It reveals which factors influence the choice of strategy and suggests possibilities to handling the uncertain future for other members of society as well.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elisabeth Schilling

*Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Düesseldorf, Germany. Email: [email protected]