This book extends Zygmunt Bauman's concept of liquid modernity and introduces the concept of the supersociety to signify an era of unprecedented convergence and interconnection of three dimensions at a global scale. These dimensions are: the techno-economic sphere, the ecosphere, and the noosphere (the realm of culture, information, and knowledge production). The authors state that this shift necessitates a nuanced and complex analytical framework to comprehend the dynamics at play, as the traditional notion of “society” is no longer adequate. In contrast to the process of globalisation, the authors view this supersociety as engendering a non-linear integration and greater verticalisation, while simultaneously increasing inequalities and igniting novel conflicts. This raises the risk of entering a phase of systemic irrationality, as reflected in the contemporary polycrisis. According to the authors, a turning point lies in recognising the relational character of human life, as conceived by science in the past century. This recognition necessitates investing in living intelligence and social generativity as potential avenues for addressing the challenges emerging in supersociety.

Written in an engaging style, this book is meant for academic and general readers interested in political and social transformations, social and cultural life, and globalisation.

Mauro Magatti is Full Professor of Sociology at the Catholic University of Milan. He has been Dean of the Faculty of Sociology and is Director of the Centre for the Anthropology of Religion and Generative Studies (Arc) in the same university. He has been a visiting professor at the Ecoles des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris, at the Kellogg Institute at the Notre Dame University and at Centre d'études européennes at Sciences Po, Paris. His main scientific interests are the relationship between economy and society, the role of civic society, and globalisation in its cultural and social implications. Over the years, he has devoted himself to the topic of social generativity. His approach is informed by the deep empirical grounding of his theoretical elaboration. He has been editor of Studi di Sociologia and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Political Anthropology. He is codirector with H.P. Muller (Humboldt University Berlin) of the Lake Como School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences. He is also a columnist for Il Corriere della Sera.

Chiara Giaccardi is Full Professor of Sociology at the Catholic University of Milan, Director of the Master in Musical Communication. Media, Industry, Digital Markers, and member of the Centre for the Anthropology of Religion and Generative Studies (Arc) in the same university. She has been visiting professor at the University of Kent (UK), UCA (Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires), PUCP (University of Lima), and Institute Catholic (Paris). Her main scientific interests are the relationship between technology and society, the critical approach to communication and globalization in its cultural and social implications. She has devoted herself to the topic of social generativity. Her approach is informed by the deep empirical grounding of his theoretical elaboration. She is Director of Comunicazioni Sociali Journal of Media, Performing Arts and Cultural Studies, and a columnist for Avvenire.