Towards a Natural Social Contract: Transformative Social-Ecological Innovation for a Sustainable, Healthy and Just Society

This open-access book explores the interconnected societal fault lines of our times and advocates for a shift from an anthropocentric and economic growth-oriented approach to a more ecocentric and regenerative one. It presents the Transformative Social-Ecological Innovation (TSEI) framework to diagnose and advance innovation and spur change across sectors, disciplines, and levels of governance. The book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers interested in social innovation, transition studies, development studies, social policy, social justice, climate change, environmental studies, political science, and economics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 205 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This open-access book, a 2022 Nautilus Gold Medal winner in the category of World Cultures, Transformational Growth & Development, presents a compelling argument that the societal fault lines of our times are intricately interconnected, presenting us with challenges that impact the security, fairness, and sustainability of our societies. The author, Prof. Dr. Patrick Huntjens, asserts that overcoming these existential challenges necessitates a fundamental shift from our current anthropocentric and economic growth-oriented approach to a more ecocentric and regenerative perspective. He advocates for a Natural Social Contract that emphasizes long-term sustainability and the well-being of both humankind and the planet Earth. Achieving this delicate balance requires a cessation of unlimited economic growth, overconsumption, and over-individualization, serving the interests of ourselves, our planet, and future generations. To this end, sustainability, health, and justice in all social-ecological systems necessitate systemic innovation and a collective effort. Presented within this book is the Transformative Social-Ecological Innovation (TSEI) framework, which serves as a catalyst for diagnosing and advancing innovation, driving change across sectors, disciplines, and governance levels. TSEI identifies intervention points and develops collaboratively devised and shared solutions to inform policymakers, administrators, concerned citizens, and professionals committed to fostering a more sustainable, healthy, and just society.

A diverse readership, including students, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers, with interests in social innovation, transition studies, development studies, social policy, social justice, climate change, environmental studies, political science, and economics, will find this cutting-edge book invaluable.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030671297
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021