Abstract Book of the 2nd International Social Sciences Conference
Year: 2025
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Sustainable Transition with Shifting Power Dynamics in a Multipolar World
Claudia Baur-Jules
ABSTRACT:
Despite improved development and growing GDP inequalities are exacerbated all over the world and contradict the Sustainable Development Goals at their very core. Power dynamics are often hidden and neglected in transition processes. This multidisciplinary approach examines how power dynamics influence sustainability transitions and highlights the importance of understanding power in societal change. It reveals that power can do both, uphold and challenge current systems. Despite having better knowledge colonial power structures are reinforced and inequalities are widening, nationally and internationally and particularly in the Global South. Although heavily criticized, economic success is still measured by GDP neglecting human well-being and urgent environmental problems. This research highlights the importance of redefining economic success to incorporate environmental and social factors and explores how governments can promote discussions about well-being despite powerful opposition. Finally, it emphasizes the shift needed away from stakeholder capitalism to create a fairer, more sustainable economy and calls for changes in governance and business practices to address inequalities and environmental challenges, encouraging collaboration among diverse stakeholders for a just society to address the multifaceted challenges of our time.
Keywords: colonialism, governance, GDP, inequalities, stakeholder capitalism