Unrecognized future financial commitments

In the USA in 1990 it was estimated that $25 to $50 billion per year may be required to pay for hidden costs such as in the field of health care and assistance to ailing institutions. Such commitments are readily ignored in upbeat reporting and budgeting based on optimistic economic assumptions and unrealistic spending cuts for which approval has previously proved unobtainable.

1. Unpreparedness
2. Non-recognition of problems
3. Irresponsibility towards future generations

1. Inadequate evaluation of environmental costs
2. Deteriorating physical infrastructure in cities

1. Inadequate maintenance of infrastructure
2. Government limitations
3. Government failure to meet commitments
4. Government budget deficits
5. Excessive growth of social expenditure

1. Unknowable future patterns of social choice
2. Uninformed cost speculation
3. Unaccountability of institutions degrading the environment
4. Short-range planning for long-term development
5. Insensitivity to non-immediate hazards to society
6. Inaccurate forecasting
7. Erroneous "business as usual" projections

1. Recognizing future financial commitments
2. Predicting future costs of present policies

1. Unacknowledged
2. Nonrecognition