How utopian thinking influences political engagement

有证据表明，在许多国家，政治上的冷漠情绪日益增长。然而，政治脱离是民主进程和社会适应性的一个严重问题。该项目借鉴了心理科学中的最新理论，以研究展望的作用-理想世界的创造性想象（“乌托邦思维”）-作为政治参与的关键驱动力。该项目将测试乌托邦思想是否以及如何激发对现状的质疑，道德参与和新群体的形成，以应对社会变革：对社会适应和进步至关重要的结果。教育工作者、政府和非政府组织可以利用项目的调查结果重新吸引不满的民众。

There is evidence of growing political apathy in many countries. Yet, political disengagement is a serious problem for processes of democracy and the adaptiveness of society. This project draws on recent theorising within the psychological sciences to investigate the role of prospection - the creative imagining of ideal worlds ('utopian thinking') - as a key driver of political engagement. The project will test whether and how utopian thinking stimulates a questioning of the status quo, moral engagement, and the formation of new groups to address social change: outcomes critical for a society to adapt and advance. Educators, government and non-government organisations can draw on project findings to re-engage a disaffected populace.