Abstract

The concept of time dominant in sociology stands in the way of a creative sociology of time. It moreover leads to the neglect of the close relationship between temporality and power. The prevailing conception of time is extrinsic to social systems, sees time as a stream and a sequence of states and the present as volatile. In this conception, the time is clearly directed: causality goes from past to present and from present to future, not vice versa. Against such a conceptualization this article proposes one that is: intrinsic to social systems, which considers the present as broad, not fleeting, and in which the arrow of time runs in two directions, allowing for time travel. Based on this conceptualization, different levels of temporal structuration and the institutions that produce them are distinguished. The paper also identifies different paradigms for dealing with the uncertainty of the future. Concerning the development of contemporary temporal structures it is observed that, as a consequence of the financialization of the economy and growing inequality, the institutions that give many people a hold on the future are under pressure and are being weakened in many societies. The way of dealing with future uncertainty is shifting from the paradigm of insurance to the paradigm of the bet. Both of those developments are contributing to growing inequalities and to institutions that promote and reproduce inequality.

How to Cite:

Elchardus, M., (2015) “Tijd voor de toekomst”, Sociologos 36(1), 6–25. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.86867