Social embedding: its nature and role in determining our economic and environmental future

Social embedding is of central importance in influencing humanity’s ability to respond effectively to environmental change. Several causes of social embedding are identified in this chapter, namely socially determined values (cultural embedding); constraints on decision-making due to the structural characteristics of systems used for collective decision-making (for example, institutional factors); and the engulfing mechanics of economic systems. The nature of social embedding in modern market systems is given particular attention. It is argued that the structure of these systems locks modern societies into a pro-economic growth mentality. Taking into account employment and other considerations, it is concluded that it may be impossible to escape from the need for continuing economic growth (even when this is at the expense of significant environmental deterioration). The impact of the evolution of economic systems on social structures and the extent of social embedding is highlighted. The view that current societies are ultrasocial in the same manner as communities of some species of animals (for example, ants, bees and termites) is examined critically and rejected.