Hot or Cool Institute is a public interest think tank that explores the intersection between society and sustainability, we bring together researchers and practitioners to facilitate solutions to global problems.
- June 20, 2024
A short history of 19th and 20th century social contracts in France and the UK
‘Like the shipwrecked sailors of 1864 who became stranded on a hostile island and were forced to rewrite a constitution to organize their new collective lives, it seems that Western societies need to reflect in depth on their own social systems. The context is one of recurring social and political tensions in recent decades, a rise in democratic mistrust and polarization of the public debate, and a growing vote for far-right populist parties. It is becoming increasingly clear that the status quo is not a viable option. We need to understand the roots of current predicaments so that we can take action.’
This report, produced in partnership with IDDRI, explores how the social contract can help us understand the crises we currently face, and point to solutions for going forward. This report introduces a theoretical framework, and presents the findings of historical reviews of the development of the social contract in two case study countries: France and the UK.
——————————————————————
This paper is also available in French on the IDDRI website.
Read the executive summary.
