by IPSP | Aug 26, 2016 | Forum |
Chapter 1 presents a mixed picture about social progress in the last decades, with a mix of positive and negative trends. What do you think have been the most important elements of social progress in the last decades, and the most important negative trends? Do you...
by IPSP | Aug 26, 2016 | Forum |
There are many global problems, such as those linked to conflicts, natural resources in international waters, climate change, cross-border pollution, that would be better addressed if there was a central authority with the power to force national governments to comply...
by IPSP | Jul 20, 2016 | Forum |
Every year since 1995, representatives from around the world have come together for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (also called COP: Conference of the Parties) to discuss how we can halt climate change and prevent a global climate catastrophe. At the...
by IPSP | Jul 20, 2016 | Forum |
On June 23rd, the United Kingdom held a referendum on its membership in the European Union. With 51.9% of votes in favor of leaving the EU, the British Exit (Brexit) became a reality. While the UK will be the first country (and so far the only) to withdraw from the...
by IPSP | Jul 19, 2016 | Forum |
Chapter 13 highlights the importance of contributions by journalists and media to public knowledge and social progress. With new technologies and platforms, the landscape of media is constantly shifting. As citizens, we have become accustomed to reading news and...
by IPSP | Jul 19, 2016 | Forum |
Technological developments over the past decades have opened the doors for mass-surveillance by corporations and governments. In 2013, Edward Snowden revelations of secret surveillance programs conducted by the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA) as...
by IPSP | Jul 19, 2016 | Forum |
Inheritance transmits inequality from one generation to the next. Several chapters (4, 8, 17) argue that inheritance should be taxed in order to provide greater equality of opportunity to every new generation. Yet, inheritance taxation is on the decline in many...
by IPSP | Jul 19, 2016 | Forum |
In Chapter 17, one reads: “some countries have made significant headway in supporting families as they exist, rather than families as they continue to be imagined. Progress in this area has been patchy however. Some legal systems remain exclusively focused on...
by IPSP | Jul 19, 2016 | Forum |
In Chapter 4, one reads: “For the largest part of human history, per-capita income has been largely stable and close to the subsistence level. (…) The industrial revolution led not only to increasing per-capita incomes, but fundamental transitions in the...
by IPSP | Jul 19, 2016 | Forum |
In Chapter 4, one reads: “GDP is not necessarily a good guide to determine the welfare of a society or to guide decisions of its actors. So what could guide the decisions of a society?” There are many different approaches that have been proposed to replace...
by IPSP | Jul 11, 2016 | Forum |
Section 5 of Chapter 16 on Religions and Social Progress argues that religions have the potential to be generate conflict as well as peace: “The range of religious combatants and victims is broad indeed.” (#216). On the other hand, religions often play a...
by IPSP | Jul 11, 2016 | Forum |
Many religions are anchored in long-practiced traditions, customs, beliefs, and ideas. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism have all been practiced for thousands of years. Over time, as our world evolves and changes, new beliefs, values, and...
by IPSP | Jul 10, 2016 | Forum |
Religion influences many people’s lives in many ways, and religious institutions, groups and communities play an important role in shaping our societies. The IPSP chapter on religion argues that religions offer a great diversity of cases and experiences, some...
by IPSP | Jul 7, 2016 | Forum |
Philosophers disagree about what makes a society just or unjust. Is it a matter of freedom, equality, status, resources, happiness, opportunities, dignity, recognition…? Here is one “hot” question about characterizing social justice: How much...
by IPSP | Jul 7, 2016 | Forum |
Philosophers disagree about what makes a society just or unjust. Is it a matter of freedom, equality, status, resources, happiness, opportunities, dignity, recognition…? Here is one “hot” question about characterizing social justice: What makes...
by IPSP | Jul 7, 2016 | Forum |
Philosophers disagree about what makes a society just or unjust. Is it a matter of freedom, equality, status, resources, happiness, opportunities, dignity, recognition…? Here is one “hot” question about characterizing social justice: Is it enough to...
by IPSP | Jun 8, 2016 | Forum |
The typical corporation is governed by CEOs hired by a board of directors, under the control of shareholders. But shareholders often lack real control over the management. And other stakeholders, such as workers and local communities, have no power at all, or very...
