Editorial: Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. A Sociological Perspective

Benjamin W. Kelly ^1* Todd O Smith ²

• ¹ Nipissing University, North Bay, Canada
• ² Association for Baha'i Studies, Ottawa, Canada

Using the Mackenzie Gas Project as a case study, Carly Dokis examines the challenges of achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 within the context of emerging co-management systems between Indigenous communities and corporatestate actors. She illustrates how exploitive social structures rely on an extractivist resource management logic that often prioritizes measurable economic gains while ignoring latent relational harms faced by Indigenous communities. Although technological remediation and impact benefit agreement initiatives are essential, Dokis demonstrates that these refinements cannot adequately address these communities' subtle and intangible challenges. To truly foster inclusivity, Dokis's ethnographic research suggests the need for an all-inclusive transformation that dismantles the deep-rooted systems of colonialism, power dynamics, and social inequality mirrored in these institutions and their problematic environmental assessments. This study reminds us that progress towards inclusivity can only be achieved through a collaborative and thoughtful re-examination of authority.Utilizing the Habermasian social theory of the public sphere and drawing on a Bahá'íinspired model of democratic governance, Michael Sabet explores the possibility of an alternative prefigurative politics that promotes and sustains a sense of purposefulness tethered to a unified humanity and an overarching narrative of human history. Given the many challenges with individualistic governance, he asks how "-given the dynamics of lifeworld and system…can communicative action be reliably and sustainably fostered within the liberal democratic state" (p. 3). Sabet turns to the Bahá'í community, claiming it exemplifies the creation of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. This approach is not characterized by a naïve optimism but rather a practical, empirically based framework grounded in consultation and collective decision-making. It aims to move away from narratives centred on self-interest and instead encourages, promotes, and celebrates the nobility of humanity and our shared purpose. Darren Hedley's "prosocial protagonists" framework emphasizes the role of collaborative change agents who work alongside diverse stakeholders to advance shared human interests. These actors include individuals, communities, and institutions. Discerning these relationships of mutual influence is crucial in identifying effective collaboration strategies. Hedley's perspective recognizes the complexities of human motivation and stresses the essential roles of social impact, leadership, and teamwork in fostering prosocial behaviours. Additionally, it aims to move beyond simplistic interpretations of human nature and promote a more sophisticated understanding of motivation and collaboration conducive to achieving the UN development goals. Sayuti et al. provide compelling empirical evidence about the variable effects of prosocial behaviour and social solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Notably, the research reveals that rural areas participate in significantly higher levels of "mutually beneficial cooperation" during the pandemic than urban areas. Rural communities benefited from well-connected social networks and longstanding traditional practices already established before the pandemic, unlike urban localities, which were not as well buffered because these forms of social solidarity did not exhibit similar robust forms of information-sharing and resourcesharing activity during COVID-19. These findings speak to the tensions and dilemmas governments encounter when trying to balance health protocols, such as social distancing, with the negative impact that enforcing these rules can have on social solidarity. Results emphasize the importance of clarifying contextual factors in expressing diverse forms of social solidarity and planning regionally appropriate health policy. A nuanced comprehension of these dynamics reveals the variations in exposure to COVID-19 and the factors contributing to mortality. Furthermore, this research identifies diverse socio-cultural factors when implementing preventive measures and coordinating collective responses to challenges and crises while simultaneously paying close attention to the location of residents and designing safeguards so that these communities do not experience an erosion in their social solidarity.Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 requires a universal multi-dimensional approach. The four articles constituting this Research Topic, are authored by dedicated applied researchers and active practitioners who are committed to developing solutions that establish fair public processes and promote transparent social frameworks. These efforts aim to enhance the capabilities of individuals, communities, and international stakeholders by unleashing their creative potential and working to promote, foster, and co-create effective and inclusive participatory decision-making at all levels. This interdisciplinary approach to attaining UNSDG 16 considers the cultural, social, political, institutional structures and economic factors influencing human behaviour and societal responses to crises. To move away from individualistic and exploitative models, it embraces prosocial values, builds authentic partnerships, encourages inclusive engagement, and recognizes the importance of context-specific methods. The conceptual frameworks and empirical findings presented in these editorial contributions offer valuable insights for implementing transformative change and ultimately contribute to a deeper appreciation for cultivating more cooperative, inclusive, equitable and flexible institutions.