JS-19
Social Progress: Present Trends and Future Scenarios
Abstract Submissions Closed
RC07 Futures Research (host committee)
RC56 Historical Sociology
Language: English
Session Type: Oral
Since the 18th century, an optimistic perspective on the progress of humanity gained currency. Trusting the beneficial effects of liberalism and science, intellectuals were key actors conveying faith in the progress of human society. Pessimistic views were also present, but the slowly emerging system of nation-states and the rising material level of living fueled positive anticipations of the future. Gradually, development, economic growth and modernization came to represent normalcy; obstacles to those universal trends were anomalies to be fought.
In recent decades, a gloomy mood seems to discredit the notion of “social progress”, be it automatic or contingent. Concerns about the future mount, involving ethical and environmental problems as well as cultural, social and security-related issues. Questions have been raised about the future of democracy as rightwing politics, financialization, neo-nationalism and neo-populism gain momentum. The perception of the global economy as governable is weakening, and, the economic and social performance of the world economy spread doubts about the future of capitalism.
Swimming against these currents, one emerging discourse has reintroduced the classic social science issue of social progress. A handful of publications critically examine what have been the positive gains humankind experienced say since the 1950s, looking at persisting problems and mounting risks.
The session invites papers on the meaning of social progress, its dimensions and indicators, criticisms of the concept and its measurements, assessments of current trends and projections for the future, major economic and social challenges in general terms or with regards to specific contexts.
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