The New Common: How the Covid-19 Pandemic is Transforming Society

This book presents the scientific views of some fifty experts on the way they think that the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting society now and in the years to come. Using the concept of a “Common” like in common values, common places, common goods, and common sense, they elaborate on a transition from an Old Common to a New Common. In 31 chapters, the expected shifts are analyzed in major fields like health, education, finance, business, work, and citizenship, applying concepts from law, psychology, economics, sociology, religious studies, and computer science to express their views. Many authors anticipate an acceleration of the digital transformation in the forthcoming years, but at the same, time they argue that a successful shift to a new common can only be achieved by re-valuating life on our planet through strengthening resilience at an individual level and assuming more responsibilities from a societal perspective.