building societies

A scientist argues that past societies escaped periods of social crisis by reversing what he calls the root cause: a 'wealth pump' that shifts resources from ordinary people to elites. When wages stagnate while the gains of economic growth flow disproportionately to the top, instability builds, and recovery comes only when that dynamic is undone. The claim is being shared widely, with readers drawing comparisons to current debates over inequality and wage stagnation.

National Savings and Investments has increased interest rates on eight of its savings accounts, prompting comparisons with rival providers. MoneyWeek asks whether the new deals are actually best buys, as UK savers weigh fixed rate options against rising competition from banks and building societies offering higher returns.

A startup founder who has personally served time in prison is building a company aimed at formerly incarcerated people, a population he describes as an untapped market. The venture targets services and products for ex-convicts, drawing on the founder's own experience of re-entering society after prison.

Aline Blankertz and Malte Engeler's German-language book 'Digitale Solidarität' is drawing attention among readers interested in digital politics. A reader posting about it says the book aims to give the political left a perspective on building a better digital world, starting with a critique of problems caused by capitalism before setting out alternatives for how technology and society could be organised differently.

Civil society organisations have taken part in capacity-building efforts to strengthen their ability to apply the European Social Charter. The initiative, associated with the Council of Europe, aims to help NGOs better use the charter's complaint and reporting mechanisms to defend social and economic rights. Further details about participants, dates and outcomes are not yet available.

The United Nations University has introduced KITA AI, described as an agentic artificial intelligence tool aimed at building inclusive and intelligent societies. The announcement positions the tool as part of UNU's work on harnessing AI for social good, with a focus on accessibility and broad public benefit rather than purely commercial applications.

Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister has described 'NGO diplomacy' as indispensable, underscoring the government's effort to build international ties through non-governmental organisations amid limited formal diplomatic recognition. Radio Taiwan International reported the remarks, which highlight civil society cooperation as a key tool for maintaining Taiwan's global presence and partnerships beyond official state channels.

Educational institutions are being highlighted as a frontline defence against extremism. By teaching tolerance, inclusivity, and civic responsibility, schools and universities help foster societies that are resilient to radical ideologies seen as threats to national security. Commenters emphasise that education builds long-term resistance to extremist narratives, framing civic learning as a matter of public safety rather than curriculum alone.

ArchDaily has published a gallery titled 'Unearthing the Ground: Architecture and the Politics of Waste', a photo series exploring how architectural practice engages with waste, landfills and extraction of the ground. The images examine how building culture deals with discarded materials and the environmental politics behind what societies bury, reuse or discard.

Eco-Business has published a commentary arguing that building climate resilience must begin with care — for communities, ecosystems and the people most exposed to climate impacts. The piece frames care work and social support as foundational to adaptation, rather than an afterthought to infrastructure and technology investments, as debates over how to fund and prioritise resilience continue.

Civil society groups are calling on the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate the human rights impacts of the country's rapidly expanding data centre industry. The appeal raises concerns over land use, water and energy consumption, and community effects as major technology firms build large-scale data infrastructure across South Africa, prompting a wider debate about who bears the costs of digital growth.