An economy of social sustainability

Ulf Johanson and Emmanuel Aboagye

Chapter 1 in Pluralistic Economics, 2026, pp 2-11 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter critiques the historical and modern tendency to treat human life as a mere economic calculation, arguing instead for a pluralistic and humanistic approach to economics. Social sustainability is defined as an ethical framework that prioritizes human dignity, secure work, and the equitable distribution of scarce resources like time and energy. This definition, however, moves beyond narrow definitions of profit and consumption. The chapter traces the evolution of corporate social responsibility and international standards, such as the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, to highlight the global shift toward integrated workplace health and safety. Ultimately, the chapter serves as a foundational call to reform organizational governance, ensuring that economic systems serve human well-being rather than reducing individuals to quantifiable assets.

Keywords: Resource management; Human life valuation; Social sustainability; Workplace health; Pluralistic and humanistic approach; Sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035393497
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