Human beings are inherently social. Millennia of evidence show that people improve their lives through various forms of social organization (societies). Therefore, individual, group, and community thriving is intrinsically connected to the advancement of society. Guided by the theory of the common good, this chapter defines the characteristics of a thriving society through the fundamental contribution of fairness, worthiness, and wellness. In terms of fairness, thriving societies require an equitable distribution of benefits and responsibilities (distributive fairness), transparent procedures and active participation (procedural fairness), and a system that both punishes wrongdoings and rewards honorary behaviors (reciprocal fairness). Regarding social worthiness, a thriving society embraces inclusion and diversity, promotes active citizenship, and recognizes the contribution of those who contribute towards societal betterment. Lastly, social wellness emphasizes that a society must prioritize the holistic well-being of all members. Finally, we argue that the synergistic contribution of fairness, worthiness, and wellness can transform societies into places where everyone can thrive.

Humankind has entered the Anthropecene era. The world faces numerous threats to the survival of humanity and other species. While diverse disciplines have risen to meet global challenges, psychology has largely focused on individual aspects such as cognition, emotion, and behavior. This chapter aims to support psychology in adapting to global challenges by introducing a novel tool, the panological model. This model comprehensively accounts for the complex relationships between multiple levels of analysis. The first part of the chapter introduces the core characteristics and innovations of the panological model, which seeks to expand upon Uri Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological model. These advancements include: a paradigm shift from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism, a new systemic vision, and a redefiniton of the role of time. The second part of the chapter combines the model with the principles of global fairness, wellness, and worthiness. This integration shows how psychology can gain a deeper understanding of macro-level phenomena, enabling it to address pressing global challenges like international conflicts, pandemics, and environmental sustainability.

Our approach to thriving encompasses not just the growth of individuals but also of collectives. Therefore, when we talk about how people thrive in this chapter and throughout the book, we refer to people in the singular and in the plural. Instead of creating a dichotomy between individual and community, we refer to people as comprising the unique lives of each one of us, the relational bonds that tie us together, and the communities and settings we are a part of. Our definition of thriving acknowledges the primordial role of situational fairness, the phenomenology of worthiness, and the myriad forms of wellness. In other words, thriving consists of context + experiences + outcomes. We submit that the key context impacting our ability to thrive as individuals and collectives is one of fairness. Similarly, we argue that key experiences have to do with mattering and a sense of worth, both of which have to do with feeling valued and opportunities to add value. Finally, we make the point that wellness exists in multiple forms and for people to thrive they should nurture all of them.