Why the Social Sciences Matter

More Than Ever

Jonathan Michie, Sir Cary L. Cooper

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English

Palgrave Macmillan
31 October 2025

Sociology; Education; Public administration; Political economy; The environment

From climate change and inequality to migration and global conflict, this book explores the defining challenges of our time. Revised and featuring nine new chapters, it brings together top scholars to demonstrate how the social sciences help us make sense of complex events and global trends. With fresh insights into climate justice, populism, productivity, sustainable development, and social wellbeing, it reveals how these issues are deeply interconnected.

Supported by the Academy for Social Sciences, the book shows how disciplines such as economics, education, political science, psychology, and sociology are essential for understanding developments that may seem purely technological or natural. It champions interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure science, technology, and policy serve the public good. Whether you're a curious reader, policymaker, or academic, this book makes a compelling case for why the social sciences matter now more than ever—and how understanding human behaviour and society can help shape a better future.

With contributions by: Howard Newby, Jonathan Michie, Cary L. Cooper, Jayati Ghosh, Joshua Lincoln, Oz Hassan, Robin Cohen, Iyiola Solanke, Bart van Ark, Mary O’Mahony, Dirk Pilat, James Campbell Quick, Robert J. Gatchel, Camilla Toulmin, Dave Cowan, Sally Wheeler, Mike Hough, Andreas J. Stylianides, Gabriel J. Stylianides, Marya Besharov, Catherine Hasted and Will Hutton.

Edited by: Jonathan Michie, Sir Cary L. Cooper
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan
Country of Publication: Switzerland
Edition: Second Edition 2025
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 148mm,
ISBN: 9783032021465
ISBN 10: 3032021464
Pages: 298
Publication Date: 31 October 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Further / Higher Education , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Foreword to 1st Edition.- Preface to 2nd Edition.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Sustainable Development: Linking Poverty, Inequality, and Climate.- 3. Plastic Politics: A Rights-Based Treaty for a Cleaner Planet.- 4. Beyond the Arab Spring: Lessons for Global Stability and Inclusive Governance.- 5. Migration: Between Global Realities and Political Theatre.- 6. Decolonising the European Commission: Diversity, Knowledge and Democracy.- 7. Financial Stability and Sustainable Growth: Towards a Fairer, Greener Economic Order.- 8. Productivity Reimagined: Growth, Inclusion, and Sustainability in a Changing World.- 9. Wellbeing by Design: Social Science for Healthier Lives.- 10. Food Security, Power, and Justice: The Social Science of Feeding the Future.- 11. Equal Before the Law? A Socio-Legal Inquiry into Power, Algorithms, and Inequality.- 12. Crime, Policing and Compliance with the Law.- 13. Education as a Distinct Social Science: Challenging Common Sense in Teaching and Policy.- 14. How the Social Sciences Work Together to Tackle Complex Social Challenges.- 15. Forging a 'We' Society: Reimagining Capitalism for the Common Good.

Jonathan Michie OBE FAcSS is a leading voice in innovation and lifelong learning. A professor at the University of Oxford, UK, he serves as President of Kellogg College and Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Recognized with an OBE for his contributions to education, Jonathan is also a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. His work spans global economics, co-operative business models, and the future of capitalism, with books like The Oxford Handbook of Mutual, Co-operative, and Co-owned Business and The Political Economy of Covid-19. Sir Cary L. Cooper CBE FAcSS is one of the world’s most influential experts on workplace wellbeing. As Professor of Organizational Psychology at the University of Manchester, UK, he has shaped how we understand stress, mental health, and productivity at work. Knighted for his services to social science, Cary has authored over 250 books and is a go-to media commentator on work-life issues. His recent titles include Wellbeing at Work and Remote Workplace Culture.