Social Imaginaries Project

The social imaginary is the web of meanings – embodied in everyday things and actions – that permeates our social life, and that makes social cohesion possible. Underlying this web is a particular core idea, the “keystone concept”, that gives each society is unique characteristics.

In my view, “entitlement” is the keystone concept that underpins our current Western imaginary, and that best sums up the particular character of contemporary western societies.

If we hope to respond meaningfully to the many pernicious social and environmental evils in the world, we have to understand that they are all logical expressions of our imaginary, symptoms of the pathology of entitlement.

Only when we grasp what the imaginary is, and how it is reproduced or, more to the point, challenged, can we begin the transformation that is so desperately required.

On this website, you will find information about the social imaginary, the imagination, entitlement, and radical transformation, as well as blogs, links to articles, and information about upcoming events and courses.

The Social Imaginary in the Context of Social Discontents: PhD Thesis

For those who are interested to read in detail about how the social imaginary works, its relationship to the imagination, and the role of both in transforming society, my thesis is available to read and download for free here. It is not necessary to read chapter 1 – as this is mainly scene-setting in the…

Sam Earle
1–2 minutes

Screenshot 2020-07-29 at 17.08.38

For those who are interested to read in detail about how the social imaginary works, its relationship to the imagination, and the role of both in transforming society, my thesis is available to read and download for free here.

It is not necessary to read chapter 1 – as this is mainly scene-setting in the literature, and serves to show just how dense it is! Part of my project has been to clarify the concept, which I hope I have been able to do.

I’d love any feedback/comments/reflections, so please do get in touch.

Leave a comment

Trending