Society

The concept of society in the social sciences refers to the structured and organized system of human coexistence. Social action is the result of conscious and unconscious decisions by people as individuals and as members of households, clubs and societies, enterprises, associations and government. Values, rules and institutions that are co-shaped by the state, the market and social structures influence these practices. Individuals thus live in a framework of conflict between recognized opportunities for action and experienced limitations on action as well as between leisure time and practical constraints.

Sustainability research evaluates in this context social institutions and rules with respect to their generational and intergenerational equity and examines what contribution they can make to tackling economic, ecological and social challenges. Functioning processes and control instruments should be secured and preserved. The response to erroneous trends should be new action concepts. It is important here to combine measures that have a short-term effect with long-term reform courses in a meaningful fashion.