Reexamining ESG from a Genealogical Perspective: The Similar Logic of Sustainability Across Different Periods

As a current research hotspot, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has been widely applied in fields such as investment and management. However, defining its connotation and exploring sustainability on a social level remain under-researched, leading to numerous issues and controversies. This paper analyzes the social sustainability of ESG from three aspects to redefine ESG, enabling it to serve practical needs more effectively. The first section outlines the prevailing concepts of ESG, reviews its development trajectory, and redefines its connotations. The second section revisits the evolution of workers' welfare in Britain from the Industrial Revolution to the present, focusing on the intrinsic logic of sustainability to explore the historical roots of ESGs sustainability. The third section provides a brief analysis of the historical inevitability of ESG within the context of modern development trends. This paper aims to contribute to future ESG research.