wholesociety

Wholesociety is a conceptual framework for governance and civic life that seeks to integrate economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being to create a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable society. It emphasizes participatory decision-making, universal access to essential services, and long-term planning that transcends narrow sectoral interests.

The term appears in policy debates, social philosophy, and some civic movements as an aspirational model rather than a single program. It is used by scholars and practitioners to contrast with fragmented, siloed governance models.

Core concepts include holistic policy design, cross-sector collaboration, social safety nets, equity, ecological stewardship, education and cultural development; governance structures that involve civil society, local communities, and marginalized groups; and measurement with indicators such as the Human Development Index, the Social Progress Index, or other well-being metrics.

Critics argue that wholesociety is vague or utopian, risks overreach or coercive centralization, and that implementing it faces financial, bureaucratic, and political challenges while needing to balance individual freedoms with collective goals.

Related terms include holistic governance, sustainable development, inclusive growth, solidarity economy, and social democracy.