Radical recent developments such as Brexit, the rise of extreme nationalism, the gilets jaunes, polarizing leaders, the Arab Spring, and fundamentalist movements are indications of societal discontent with the status quo. Other societal phenomena such as gender fluidity, veganism, and bartering are also associated with a perceived need to change. The context is the Anthropocene, a human-dominated biosphere challenging the resilience of a livable planet. Such a broad set of developments may be interpreted in the light of new insights from theory of complex systems about what happens as resilience of the current pathway (societal organization as we know it) decreases. Rising fluctuations characterize a phase of uncertainty and exploration, potentially leading into a transition of the system toward a new pathway. We reflect on global changes that may contribute to social destabilization such as rising wealth concentration and environmental degradation and ask how responses may be understood from social-psychological forces such as the need for group identity and managing the terror of mortality. The emerging image is that of a society engaged in multifaceted experimentation. Maintaining such experimentation may help inspire novel pathways to desirable futures, but there is a risk of societies becoming trapped in backward-looking narratives that threaten long-term sustainable outcomes.
Research news | 2019-12-03
A more coherent approach to policy planning for the Sustainable Development Goals will save precious economic resources and enhance progress on the goals
Research news | 2019-11-29
Sharing knowledge between local communities and researchers strengthens ties between science and society. And encourages well-being and sustainability
Research news | 2019-11-29
Study assesses what it takes to make good meetings become venues for change
Research news | 2019-11-27
Nine climate tipping points now are now “active” which means the situation is urgent and we need an emergency response, warn scientists
Research news | 2019-11-26
Food initiatives within the Stockholm-Mälaren region in Sweden offer insight into a transformation of the global food system
Research news | 2019-11-26
How a pro-meat social media campaign attacking research related to healthy diets may have influenced social media audiences