Elrelátó

Elrelátó, often written előrelátó with diacritics, is a Hungarian adjective describing the quality of foresight or prudence in anticipating future events and planning accordingly. The word is used to characterize people, decisions, organizations, or policies that take long-term consequences into account and seek to mitigate risks before they materialize.

Etymology and form: The term combines the prefix elő- (forward, beforehand) with látó (seeing), literally meaning someone who sees ahead. The standard orthography in Hungarian is előrelátó; elrelátó is the diacritics-free variant that appears in contexts where special characters are unavailable.

Usage and nuances: Elrelátó describes practical, forward-looking thinking rather than mere day-to-day caution. It is common in discussions of leadership, management, and governance. For example, előrelátó döntés refers to a decision made with attention to future effects, and előrelátó vállalat denotes a company that plans for sustainability and long-term resilience. The related noun is előrelátás (foresight). A common antonym is rövidlátó (short-sighted), used to critique efforts that neglect long-term outcomes.

Contexts: In business, politics, and public policy, előrelátó approaches emphasize long-range planning, risk assessment, and sustainable development. In literature and media, the term can convey wisdom and prudent governance, often contrasting with impulsive or reactive behavior. In academic discourse, it aligns with concepts in strategic planning and futures studies (jövőkutatás), which analyze possible futures to inform current decisions.

See also: előrelátás, jövőkutatás, foresight.