Contemporary societies are navigating a period marked by profound and interlinked challenges. Growing social and economic inequalities, persistent poverty, political instability, conflict and war, as well as environmental degradation and climate disruption are reshaping the conditions for human development worldwide. These overlapping crises expose structural weaknesses in current systems and call for a critical rethinking of how societies organise economic, political, and social life.
Politics of and for Societal Development
Our research focuses on two key dimensions of these challenges. First, we explore the politics of societal development, analysing how (global) power relations, institutional arrangements, and dominant economic models contribute to fragmentation, marginalisation, and uneven development outcomes. Deep-seated divisions—such as between the Global North and South, rich and poor, or dominant and marginalised communities—are central to understanding the current dynamics.
Second, we address the politics for societal development, which involves identifying and supporting pathways toward more sustainable, equitable and inclusive futures. This requires rethinking governance, distribution, and collective responsibility in the face of complex, multi-scalar crises. Political responses must be attuned to environmental and climate risks alongside the socio-economic and geopolitical conditions that perpetuate instability and injustice.
Key research areas
This research area explores the politics of and for societal transformation, focusing on:
- Societal and political responses to intersecting crises—including poverty, inequality, conflict, and environmental and climate stress,
- Governance of complex and interconnected challenges (such as food, water, energy, and human security),
- Normative visions of just, inclusive, and sustainable development,
- Pathways toward systemic change through democratic engagement, institutional innovation, and collective action.