A socio-political approach to climate change : revisiting the social contract through the lens of common good economics

This paper explores the necessity of redefining the Social Contract in the face of contemporary global challenges, particularly climate change and sustainability. Drawing on classical political theory—from Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Rawls to the moral philosophy of Adam Smith—we propose a renewed agreement that aligns governance, economic systems, and societal values with the imperatives of planetary health and the common good. By analyzing sustainability as a transition from ethical aspiration to financially viable practice, this paper emphasizes systemic approaches, transformative production models, and collaborative frameworks to forge a resilient and just future.