Policies of Non-Sustainability (PONN): National-authoritarian populism and new social disparities as the societal framework for a socio-ecological transformation

Against the backdrop of worsening environmental and social problems, there are calls from large sections of the political sphere, civil society, academia and the general public for the implementation of sustainable policies: be it the establishment of sustainable transport systems, changes in the agricultural sector or the transformation of the energy system. However, the various areas of socio-ecological transformation are dependent on social and political conditions that extend far beyond their respective subject areas and which determine the likelihood of their successful adoption as policy and practical implementation. Within the framework of the research project “Policies of Non-Sustainability” (PONN), this will be placed in the context of two recent developments that appear to be linked: the rise of nationalist, authoritarian populist movements and parties, and the emergence of new social disparities. Our pilot study examines the implications and consequences of these developments for a transformation of society towards sustainability.

The one-year collaborative project is designed as a meta-study and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project, which is being carried out at the Europa-Universität Flensburg (EUF) and the Technical University of Dortmund, is divided into three work packages in order to examine the nexus described above both theoretically and empirically.

Insights into the research project

Research program Dates Publications In the media

The project findings as a podcast

The PONN podcast presents selected findings from the pilot study ‘Policies of Non-Sustainability’ (PONN) in three parts. It is freely available here and on all relevant platforms

Book: Right-wing populism vs. climate protection?

In the monograph *Right-wing Populism vs. Climate Protection? Positions, Attitudes, Explanatory Approaches*, published by Munich-based oekom-Verlag and the Federal Agency for Civic Education, the project team has published the study’s key findings.