The world feels very troubled at the moment. We need new ways of thinking about politics, society and inequality, and new approaches to change.
Inspired by recent Bristol University Press and Policy Press books, here are eight big ideas to inspire you in 2023.
1. Apply psychology to politics
Psychology at the Heart of Social Change by Mick Cooper describes a progressive political approach that integrates insights from psychology to move us from a politics of blame to a politics of understanding.
Listen to Mick talk about the book in this new episode of the Transforming Society podcast.
2. Be a Zapatista
A Beginner’s Guide to Building Better Worlds by Levi Gahman, Shelda-Jane Smith, Filiberto Penados, Nasha Mohamed, Johannah-Rae Reyes, and Atiyah Mohamed takes ideas and inspiration from the Zapatistas in Mexico to offer radical alternatives to staid ways of thinking.
Read the introduction free on Bristol University Press Digital.
3. Challenge ourselves to arrive
In The Economics of Arrival, Katherine Trebeck and Jeremy Williams challenge us to 'arrive' - to make ourselves at home with our wealth, and to ensure, in the interests of equality, that everyone is included.
Read this article on Open Democracy.
4. Align your organisation with the UN SDGs
In Urgent Business, Ian Thomson and Dominic Bates, a business school professor and a former journalist, combine their expert insight to challenge five common myths that trap businesses in an unsustainable black-hole and offer a manifesto for change.
Watch this video for more.
5. Practise radical empathy
To bridge our divides, renowned political scientist Terri Givens calls for us to practise ‘radical empathy’ - moving beyond an understanding of others’ lives and pain to understand the origins of our biases, including internalized oppression.
Find out how on Transforming Society.
6. Rethink happiness
In The Happiness Problem, Sam Wren-Lewis shows that we are thinking about happiness in the wrong way. By changing our approach away from control and towards understanding, we might have a chance of transforming society for the better.
Watch Sam talk about the book.
7. Imagine alternative societies
Presenting a much-needed introduction to the debate on alternatives to capitalism, Alternative Societies by Luke Martell helps us understand alternative societies that could be better for humans and the environment.
8. Enjoy life without harming the planet
How we can cultivate our skills for enjoying life without harming ourselves or others? In Sustainable Hedonism Orsolya Lelkes shows us how we can live autonomous, creative and connected lives.
Read Orsolya's article on Transforming Society.