Stephen J. Purdey explores how the polycrisis has emerged as a growing threat despite humanity’s shared desire for safety and prosperity. He argues that its material dimensions are rooted in and legitimized by an underlying belief system. Key elements of this system include an exaggerated sense of human exceptionalism, an anthropocentric worldview, and a licentious […]
The Social Pathology of Polycrisis Read More »
The authors explore the intersection of revolutionary theory and emerging polycrisis discourses, examining how various international and national factors become intertwined, creating polycrisis events that can lead to revolutionary moments. These revolutionary moments can, in turn, exacerbate stresses that contribute to systemic dysfunction elsewhere, due to the entanglement of global systems. Through case studies of
Revolution in an Age of Polycrisis Read More »
David Krogmann explores the persistence of liberal environmentalism in international climate policy, despite the growing climate crisis and the broader polycrisis in international relations. He argues that the deep institutionalization of norms linking economic growth with environmental protection creates a mismatch between the crisis and political responses. Drawing on liberal institutionalism, constructivism, and neo-realism, Krogmann
Liberal Environmentalism and Climate Change in the Polycrisis Read More »
This article argues how fossil fuels are both the main driver of the polycrisis and a significant barrier to effective climate action. It highlights how the global economy’s dependence on oil, gas, and coal not only fuels climate change but also reinforces political inertia through industry influence, misinformation campaigns, and lobbying efforts. The article underscores
Fossil Fuels as the Cause of the Global Polycrisis Read More »
The author explores the interconnected global risk landscape, where various risks amplify one another, potentially causing cascading effects across regions and sectors. She examines the global relationship between different types of risks and analyzes the significance of the coefficients derived from collected time panel data. Key findings include the positive correlation between net user growth
Global Interconnectedness of Risks: A Worldwide Analysis Read More »
This chapter explores the impacts of the “great acceleration” in human development and its impact on planetary boundaries and the polycrisis in the Anthropocene. Using an Integrative Geography perspective, it links human-nature relationships, growth limits, and global expansion to crises and geopolitical conflicts, highlighting interconnected risks. The chapter calls for sustainable peace by balancing human
The authors explore the polycrisis concept as the interaction of multiple global crises, arguing that focusing solely on causal links does not fully capture the politics of knowledge about the polycrisis. They highlight the challenge of managing deep scientific and political uncertainties in the Anthropocene and propose that the polycrisis research program adopts decision-making under
The Polycrisis and the Uncertainty Possibility Space Read More »
The authors discuss factors influencing the stability and resilience of low-carbon energy transitions over extended time-frames, emphasising that while these transitions are essential for global sustainability, they are also vulnerable to systemic risks that could exacerbate the polycrisis. They highlight the importance of long-term strategic planning, interdisciplinary research, and inclusive decision-making to ensure that successful
Michael J. Albert explores the debate on “polycrisis,” with proponents viewing crises as interconnected shocks, while Marxist critics argue that this obscures the capitalist roots by treating them as separate and loosely connected. He develops an approach combining Marxism, complexity theory, and neo-Gramscian political economy. Using the European Union’s ongoing polycrisis as an example, Albert
Capitalism, Complexity, and Polycrisis: Toward Neo-Gramscian Polycrisis Analysis Read More »
The authors use the polycrisis lens to examine how interconnected global crises—economic, environmental, health, and political—intensify health inequalities. They argue that polycrisis amplify these inequalities and suggest strategies to mitigate their impacts, outlining pathways for future research.
The Global Polycrisis and Health Inequalities Read More »
