Societal Compasses Need to Reflect Cultural Diversity

For a long time, the common idea of societal progress has focused mainly on economic growth. In looking for alternatives, researchers and policymakers have started to consider societal happiness. While both economic health and happiness are important for development, assuming they are equally important in all cultures is a one-size-fits-all approach. This view misses the bigger picture of what makes life good.

In this report, we propose expanding the ways we measure development to better reflect each society’s unique vision of progress. Our research shows that while people around the world generally want modernisation, their specific ideas about what that means can differ enough to impact policymaking. These differences matter and should be considered when shaping development policies.

Think of Society as a Unique Cultural Ecosystem

What works well in one culture might not work in another. So why do we keep using the same policies everywhere? Relying too much on dominant Western economic and psychological models can lead to poor outcomes. For example, programs focused on individual success may not succeed in cultures that value  teamwork and collective achievement. We need a new approach that truly listens to diverse voices and addresses their specific needs.

Let’s Add More Instruments to Our Societal Development Toolkit

Well-being is about more than just feeling happy—it includes having strong connections, a sense of purpose, and belonging. Instead of only focusing on the individual (“me”), we should also emphasize community (“we”). Strong relationships, trust, and active civic participation are key to a healthy society. We don’t need to discard current economic or happiness measures; instead, we should add new ones that reflect people’s expectations and local values.

By embracing a culturally sensitive approach, we can move beyond a narrow one-size-fits-all perspective. We can create frameworks that truly enhance well-being for everyone, fostering inclusion, trust, and a shared understanding of a good life based on what each society values. The future of societal development depends on our ability to view the world through multiple lenses, balance different priorities, and let a comprehensive compass guide our efforts.

A paradigm shift may be necessary to progress towards culturally sensitive frameworks. We must ask ourselves: Are we truly understanding the world in its full complexity, or are we limiting our perspective by relying solely on our own cultural context? To broaden our understanding, we should recognise the value of alternative approaches that reveal aspects of human experience often overlooked by a single cultural tradition. How often do we critically examine our assumptions in light of other cultural perspectives?

Addressing the multidimensionality of well-being requires a more nuanced approach that balances cultural dynamics with individuals’ psychological needs. How can we meet these needs sustainably?

In public policy, we need to move away from universal solutions and tailor approaches to local contexts. Why impose universal policies when local insights can lead to more effective strategies? Societies should have the opportunity to define the “good life” based on their own values and traditions. By embracing this paradigm shift, we can foster a more inclusive and effective framework for understanding and promoting well-being across diverse cultural landscapes.

Rethinking Societal Development

Brief and Simplified History of Societal Development Paradigms
(based on source: supplementary online material to Krys, Uchida, & Dominguez-Espinosa, 2019)

Purpose of the Report

The Institute of Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the University of Oslo conducted a series of studies, including a large-scale cross-cultural project exploring social development processes through a culturally sensitive lens.

This report seeks to translate the findings of these studies into accessible language for a broader audience. It offers a culturally informed perspective on societal development, accompanied by actionable recommendations for policymakers.

Structure of the Report

The report is divided into three main parts:

1. Are We Using the Right Map to Reach a Good Life?
   This section highlights key areas where the current understanding of societal development may need improvement.
2. Turning the Tide: New Ways to See Well-being in a Diverse World
   Here, we offer fresh perspectives on approaching societal development through a culturally informed lens.
3. Charting a New Course: Culturally Sensitive Policies
   In this final section, we present a set of foundational policy recommendations.

This is the second edition of the Social Development Report, published in 2025. The first edition, released in 2024, is available here and we plan to publish future editions. As you read this edition, please remember that we are at the beginning of a longer scientific journey. We hope to continue strengthening our arguments and deepening the evidence over time.

Report Project Team:

Aleksandra Buźniak, Igor de Almeida, Olga Gajewska, Maciej Głogowski, Maciej Górski, Kuba Kryś (leader), Mateusz Olechowski, Ewa Palikot, Joonha Park, Ada Szostak, Victoria Yeung Wai Lan, Arkadiusz Wąsiel.

Consulted Experts:

Maciej Górski, Brian Haas, Mohsen Joshanloo, Mateusz Olechowski, Ewa Palikot, Joonha Park, Angel Sanchez Rodríguez, Ewa Szumowska, Arkadiusz Wąsiel.

Local Team Leaders and Key Experts:

Mladen Adamovic, Plamen Akaliyski, Charity Akotia, Isabelle Albert, Anna Almakaeva, Nur Amali Aminnuddin, Laura Andrade, Petra Anić, Lily Appoh, D. M. Arévalo Mira, Resham Asif, Arno Baltin, Pablo Eduardo Barrientos, Oumar Barry, Rasmata Bakyono-Nabaloum, Mahmoud Boussena, Michael H. Bond, Diana Boer, Carla Sofia Esteves, Patrick Denoux, Alejandra Domínguez Espinosa, Agustin Espinosa, Márta Fülöp, Vladimer Gamsakhurdia, Magdalena Garvanova, Ragna Benedikta Garðarsdóttir, Alin Gavreliuc, Vaitsa Giannouli, Biljana Gjoneska, Fumiko Kano Glückstad, Brian W. Haas, Diana Hanke-Boer, Rafail Hasanov, Katharina Henk, Hidefumi Hitokoto, Eric Raymond Igou, David Igbokwe, Mostak Ahamed Imran, Naved Iqbal, İdil Işık, Nuha Iter, Mohsen Joshanloo, Yoshihisa Kashima, Natalia Kascakova, Elmina Kazimzade, Lucie Kluzová Kracmárová, Agata Kocimska-Bortnowska, Natasza Kosakowska-Berezecka, Aleksandra Kosiarczyk, Olga Kostoula, Nicole Kronberger, Anna Kwiatkowska, Mary Anne Lauri, Hannah Lee, Kongmeng Liew, Liman Man Wai Li, Xinhui Liu, Vivian Miu-Chi Lun, Magdalena Łużniak-Piecha, Alexander Malyonov, Arina Malyonova, Fridanna Maricchiolo, Linda Mohammed, Tamara Mohoric, Magdalena Mosanya, Nur Fariza Mustaffa, Katarzyna Myślińska-Szarek, Martin Nader, Azar Nadi, Ayu Okvitawanli, Vassilis Pavlopoulos, Zoran Pavlović, Iva Poláčková Šolcová , Md. Reza-A-Rabby, Muhammad Rizwan, Ana Maria Rocha, Rosa Rodríguez-Bailón, Marta Roczniewska, Vladyslav Romashov, Espen Røysamb, Adil Samekin, Ruta Sargautyte, Beate Schwarz, Heyla Selim, Ursula Serdarevich, David Sirlopú, Natalia Soboleva, Rosita Sobhie, Maria Stogianni, Moritz Streng, Julien Teyssier, Claudio Torres, Kiều Thị Thanh Trà, Vladimir Turjačanin, Morten Tønnessen, Yukiko Uchida, Yvette van Osch, Wijnand van Tilburg, Christin-Melanie Vauclair, Jorge Vergara-Morales, Vivian L. Vignoles, Olha Vlasenko, Victoria Yeung Wai Lan, Nina Witoszek, Agnieszka Wojtczuk-Turek, June Yeung, Belkacem Yakhlef, Eric Kenson Yau, Jae-Won Yang, John Zelenski.

While local team leaders, key experts, and endorsing institutions supported the creation of this report, they did not influence its content in any way.

Funding

The Norway Grants and the EEA Grants represent Norway’s contribution towards a green, competitive and inclusive Europe. Through the Norway Grants and the EEA Grants, Norway contributes to reducing social and economic disparities and to strengthening bilateral relations with beneficiary countries in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltics. Norway cooperates closely with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA). Together with the other donors, Norway has provided €3.3 billion through consecutive grant schemes between 1994 and 2014.Norway Grants are financed solely by Norway and are available in the countries that joined the EU after 2003. For the period 2014-2021, the Norway Grants amount to €1.25 billion. The priorities for this period are:
#1 Innovation, Research, Education, Competitiveness and Decent Work,
#2 Social Inclusion, Youth Employment and Poverty Reduction,
#3 Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Low Carbon Economy,
#4 Culture, Civil Society, Good Governance and Fundamental Rights,
#5 Justice and Home Affairs.

For more, please visit: www.norwaygrants.org

Some of the conclusions presented in this report are based in part on research financed by the National Science Center, the beneficiary of which is the Institute of Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (projects #2020/37/B/HS6/03142 and #2020/38/E/HS6 /00357).

This report was also made possible thanks to funding provided under grant no. #2024/43/7/HS6/00002, titled Science & Society: Bilateral Initiative in Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, operated by the National Science Centre (NCN).

Organisational Support

The content of this report was developed independently — the institutions indicated below, whether providing financial or organisational support, had no influence over its conclusions.