Key research themes
1. How does Civil Economy conceptualize the integration of ethical values and social cooperation within economic systems to promote sustainable and inclusive well-being?
This theme investigates the theoretical foundations and philosophical underpinnings of Civil Economy, focusing on how it integrates ethics, reciprocity, and social relationships into economic frameworks. It highlights the critiques of neoclassical economics’ reductionist views and explores alternative paradigms where human relationality, common good, and multi-stakeholder value creation are central to achieving sustainable well-living and social flourishing.
2. In what ways does the Civil Economy tradition address social, ecological, and community resilience challenges through innovative economic models and localized approaches?
This theme encompasses empirical and conceptual research that applies the Civil Economy paradigm to real-world urban, environmental, and social crises, focusing on how civil protection, community welfare models, and alternative economic designs foster resilience and sustainability. It investigates human-scale development, participatory governance, and integrated social-ecological frameworks that reorient economic growth towards inclusive recovery, cultural richness, and environmental stewardship.
3. How does Civil Economy inform and challenge market plurality and economic governance models with respect to common goods and market moral architectures?
This theme explores the diverse moral and institutional configurations of markets as addressed by Civil Economy theory, emphasizing the distinction between private exchange and cooperative common good pursuits. It analyzes rival normative models—spontaneous, instituted, and civil markets—proposing a pluralistic meta-theory that acknowledges the heterogeneity of markets and governance forms. The inquiry elucidates how markets engage with social cooperation, political infrastructure, and shared values beyond narrow self-interest.