Estelle Herlyn & Magdalène Lévy-Tödter (editors)

The 2030 Agenda as a “Magic Polygon” of Sustainability: Systemic Perspectives (2020, Springer Gabler)

This book addresses the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which – even more complexly than the “magic square” of economic policy – form a system of objectives with numerous interactions and potential conflicts. The aim of the Agenda is to bring the world to a state in which planetary boundaries are permanently respected while meeting the needs of all people. The global scope of the Agenda and the distributed responsibilities – from the international to the national level, across traditional policy sectors, businesses, and civil society – create significant complexity. Ongoing population growth and unresolved financing questions pose additional major challenges, which are explained to the reader and then illustrated through specific areas of action and potential solutions.

Franz Josef Radermacher

Der Milliarden-Joker: How Germany and Europe Can Revolutionize Global Climate Protection (2018, Murmann Verlag)

Global warming is advancing relentlessly. The crucial question is: can the international community still prevent a climate catastrophe? Franz Josef Radermacher remains cautiously optimistic. His proposal is brilliantly simple and rigorously calculated: non-state actors in Germany and Europe voluntarily and at their own expense compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions—over and above all legal requirements and other individual measures—through high-quality CO₂ offset projects in non-industrialized countries. At the same time, this approach generates significant co-benefits for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Key elements in the implementation include reforestation, humus formation, wetland restoration, the use of renewable energy, and climate-neutral synthetic fuels.

Halit Ünver

Global Networking, Communication and Culture: Conflict or Convergence? Spread of ICT, Internet Governance, Superorganism Humanity and Global Culture (2018, Springer Verlag)

Pursuing an interdisciplinary approach, this book offers detailed insights into the empirical relationships between overall social key figures of states and cultures in the fields of information and communication technology (ICT) (digital divide/inequality), the economy, education and religion. Its goal is to bridge the ‚cultural gap‘ between computer scientists, engineers, economists, social and political scientists by providing a mutual understanding of the essential challenges posed and opportunities offered by a global information and knowledge society. The book discusses the spread of ICT, Internet Governance, the balance between the central concentration of power and the extent of decentralized power distribution, the inclusion or exclusion of people and states in global communication processes, and the capacity for global empathy or culture.

Martin J. Worms & Franz Josef Radermacher (editors)

Climate Neutrality – Hessen Five Years On [Volume II: New Impulses] (2018, Springer Vieweg)

The topic of climate change poses major challenges for the world. This was made clear once again at the 2017 Climate Conference in Bonn. In this context, the state of Hessen has been undertaking an ambitious effort within its own sphere of responsibility since 2008 by implementing a “CO2-neutral state administration,” making it the first German federal state to do so. The goal is to contribute to achieving the 2° target, going far beyond legal requirements. Where has Hessen taken action? On the one hand, within its own state administration; on the other hand, through a wide range of collaborations with businesses, organizations, and citizens throughout the state. Efforts include local climate protection measures as well as international partnerships. Through numerous practical examples, this book provides strong impulses and inspiration for taking action oneself.

Thomas Kämpke & Franz Josef Radermacher

Income Modeling and Balancing: A Rigorous Treatment of Distribution Patterns (2015, Springer Verlag)

This book presents a rigorous treatment of the mathematical instruments available for dealing with income distributions, in particular Lorenz curves and related methods. The methods examined allow us to analyze, compare and modify such distributions from an economic and social perspective. Though balanced income distributions are key to peaceful coexistence within and between nations, it is often difficult to identify the right kind of balance needed due to an interaction with innovation and economic growth. The issue of justice is also touched on. One highlight of the book is its rigorous treatment of the so-called Atkinson theorem and some extensions, which help to explain under which type of societal utility functions nations tend to operate either in the direction of more balance or less balance. Finally, completely new insights into changing the balance pattern of societies and the kind of coalitions between richer and poorer parts of society to organize political support in democracies are presented.

Luise Hölscher & Franz Josef Radermacher (editors)

Climate Neutrality – Hessen Leads the Way (2013, Springer Vieweg)

The issue of climate change is becoming increasingly important. At the same time, global CO₂ emissions continue to rise. In this context, the state of Hessen has taken an important step as a mid-level political entity, a step that is beginning to exert significant leverage. Hessen was the first German federal state to declare its intention to make its own administration climate-neutral by 2030. The Hessen climate neutrality project is embedded in the state’s overarching sustainability strategy and, within this strategy, represents a project of outstanding importance. This book discusses the many facets of this complex topic: from local activities to global cooperation, from behavioral changes to more conscious energy use, from efficiency improvements in energy consumption to worldwide offset projects. Hessen shows the way: climate neutrality by 2030 – ambitious, effective, exemplary.

Estelle Herlyn

Income Distribution-Based Preference and Coalition Analyses Using Self-Similar Equity Lorenz Curves: A Contribution to the Quantification of Social Sustainability (2012, Springer Gabler)

Excessive income inequality, as well as excessive income equalization, can endanger the prosperity and cohesion of a society. Moderate levels of redistribution, in contrast, show the highest potential for consensus. These insights are derived from the analytical use of Lorenz curves in the form of preference and coalition analyses. This approach allows for describing the trade-off between economic growth and changes in the level of redistribution with respect to individual income preferences, as well as for assessing how different income segments are affected by changes in the redistribution level.

Franz Josef Radermacher & Bert Beyers

World with a Future: The Eco-Social Perspective (2nd edition 2011, Murmann Verlag)

Humankind is a success story. Since the first hominids migrated out of Africa, humans have spread across the globe as a “superorganism.” Today, however, we are reaching our limits almost everywhere. The global financial market crisis is just one example of what may still come. The authors foresee a fundamental transformation and therefore advocate a sustainable program for the future: an expanded eco-social market economy and a Global Marshall Plan – eco-social rather than market-radical.

Franz Josef Radermacher, Josef Riegler & Hubert Weiger

Eco-Social Market Economy: History, Program, and Perspective of a Sustainable Global Economic System (2011, Oekom Verlag)

A fulfilling life for all? Peace and freedom from material need? Future prospects for coming generations? It is clear that today’s global order and economy do not meet these goals. Proponents of a worldwide Eco-Social Market Economy, however, are convinced that market mechanisms and sustainability can coexist. Priority is given first to consistent environmental and resource protection, as well as social balance and cultural cooperation, followed by intelligent and cooperative growth. This credo – grounded in balance and sound regulatory policy – promises a future not only for the market but also for humanity.

Anne Wenger

A Key to Promoting Sustainable Development (2008, FAWn)

This work, based on a doctoral dissertation of the author at the Pädagogische Hochschule Karlsruhe, explores a central question: Can education promote sustainable development? It examines the opportunities and challenges of education in a globalized world, with a focus on the emerging global society. The book spans a broad spectrum, connecting educational theories and insights from pedagogy and sociology in their international context with contemporary initiatives worldwide that engage with these issues. Drawing on international approaches, programs, and concepts, the study highlights pathways toward global education that foster social equity, cultural balance, and the careful stewardship of the environment and natural resources – key pillars of a sustainable world society in the making. In this context, global learning emerges as an essential tool for achieving sustainability.

Franz Josef Radermacher

Global Marshall Plan: A Planetary Contract for a Worldwide Eco-Social Market Economy (2004, Global Marshall Plan Initiative)

Rapid and unbalanced globalization has led to growing social inequality and environmental degradation. The world faces a difficult situation, and solutions to these problems cannot be found solely at the national level. The Global Marshall Plan Initiative offers a long-overdue solution. Through an integrative approach, a broad and rapidly growing network of stakeholders from politics, business, and civil society advocates for a Global Marshall Plan / Planetary Contract— a program that combines global co-financing of development by wealthier countries with the adoption of certain environmental, social, and cultural standards by developing countries.

Franz Josef Radermacher

Balance or Destruction: Eco-Social Market Economy as the Key to Worldwide Sustainable Development (2002, Ökosoziales Forum Europa)

Humanity, within the framework of an unchecked globalized economy, is severely depleting social, cultural, and ecological capital while exploiting resources without restraint. The richer Global North is acting massively to the detriment of the South. The question of a worldwide balance in people’s material opportunities is therefore crucial in the context of globalization and the pursuit of sustainable development. In fact, we are currently in a state of extreme global apartheid: two billion people must survive on less than two US dollars per day, and one billion on less than one US dollar per day – an intolerable and inherently unstable situation, representing the greatest obstacle to a sustainable future. While there is no shortage of ideas and proposals for achieving a globally sustainable path, they are often contradictory, and politics has so far shown little global willingness or capacity for implementation. Against this backdrop, the book provides excellent guidance in this complex and controversial field. In addition to analyzing the current difficult global political constellations, it presents a coherent concept for global sustainable development – offering inspiration and practical guidance for policymakers.