Românii și preocuparea față de studiul viitorului. Perspectivă istorică

Abstract

This article aims to explore the evolving interest in studying the future through different historical periods, focusing on its development in Romanian society. Beginning with ancient Greece and through the rise of the Industrial Revolution and the two World Wars, futurist studies became a distinct field in Western countries. Special attention is given to how these developments were reflected in Romania, where, despite widespread discussions on modernization, there was no dedicated focus on future studies prior to World War II. The text also analyses science fiction's role in Romania as an indirect means of envisioning the future, especially during the communist regime's emphasis on a "bright future". It concludes with the post-1989 transition, where Romania’s future was increasingly viewed through the lens of Western prosperity, leading to less focus on independent futurist research and critical discussions about the country's trajectory.