Successful Societies

These are a few of the diverse questions scholars address through CIFAR’s Successful Societies program.This program explores the roots of social inequalities and asks the question: What makes a society successful? This question has complex answers, requiring specialists in cultural and political sociology, political science, epidemiology, and developmental psychology. A better understanding of the determinants of social resilience can inform public policy as well as improve people’s abilities to prosper in the face of challenges.
The Successful Societies program was inspired by the accomplishments of CIFAR's programs in Population Health and Human Development, which concluded in 2003. These programs significantly advanced our understanding of social determinants of health and of how early childhood experiences affect well-being throughout life.

Program members investigate how institutions, networks, and cultural repertoires and myths influence social life. Broadly speaking, the program seeks a better understanding of how social relations condition the capabilities of individuals for securing fulfilling lives and the capacities of communities for effective collective development at both the national and local levels. Collective development refers to fundamental features of social well-being associated with high levels of equality in health outcomes, cultural tolerance, social inclusion and widespread access to civic participation, education and employment.

The Successful Societies program unites epidemiologists, economists, sociologists, historians, political scientists, psychologists, lawyers, criminologists, and geographers. Together, the work of the program members is shedding new light on how social and cultural processes advance or limit a society’s collective well-being. Read more