Nicola Mulkeen

This paper focuses on the intergenerational problem for relational egalitarianism. It follows Karnein (2023), Nolt (2011), Smith (2013), and others in analysing the issue in terms of intergenerational domination but rejects their claim that the best way to understand the problem is through a group conception of domination involving current generations dominating future generations. My aim in this paper is to replace these existing accounts. I argue that intergenerational domination is better understood structurally via a Role-Based Model, where domination occurs through institutions and social structures. The core idea is that our institutions and social structures created and maintained by earlier generations, enable some future generations to dominate others through and in virtue of their social roles. Because roles are the site where structure meets agency, this Role-Based Model (1) explains how the actions of only some members within a generation – whether from preceding or future generations – contribute to intergenerational domination, and (2) accurately identifies which future individuals or groups are most likely to become victims of intergenerational domination based on their roles and position within these structures. The implication is that social roles are crucial to intergenerational domination. This insight is pertinent to debates on some of the most pressing political and ethical issues of our time such as how to safeguard future generations from the consequences of climate change, antibiotic resistance, and the costs of long-term public debt. Without this Role-Based Model, we risk mischaracterising the problem and implementing ineffective solutions.