Transformation of Economic and Social Systems

The transformation to sustainability can only be achieved by means of fundamentally reforming economic and social systems at national and global level. Researchers in this department are examining the impacts of global economic dynamics on developing countries and emerging economies and observing the interplay between globalisation on the one hand and national economic and social policy strategies and initiatives on the other. The key question in this research is: What strategies and measures at global, national and subnational level are suitable for shaping change in the economic structures of developing countries and emerging economies in such a way that productivity is increased in the long term and poverty, malnutrition and inequality are decreased without exceeding the viability of ecological systems? The research department analyses the design of socio-economic policies with a particular focus on the effects of global megatrends such as decarbonisation, global expansion of the new middle classes, radical technological change and shifting power centres in the global economy. It also drafts strategic solutions, taking account of the interdependence between national policies and the international regulatory framework.