Diversity, Dynamism & Inclusion: A New Multi-Method Approach for Studying Liberalism
Rethinking how societies grow, adapt and work together
This research project explores how societies can better respond to change, disagreement and new ideas. Funded by the Templeton Foundation and led by core PPE Faculty Ryan Muldoon, the project looks at how open societies use a range of perspectives and experiences to improve decision-making and adapt over time.
Rather than treating difference as a problem, this work asks how it can be a strength.
This project studies how social systems function when people bring different ideas, experiences and viewpoints to the table. It focuses on understanding how societies can remain open, flexible and responsive in the face of new challenges.
The research builds on the idea of the “open society,” where freedom, exchange of ideas and institutional flexibility support learning and progress.
Instead of imagining an ideal system, the goal is practical. Identify how real institutions can better support collaboration, adaptability and shared progress.
This project is centered on three key questions:
- How can different types of institutions support innovation and change?
- What helps people feel included and able to participate in public life?
- How can a wide range of perspectives improve decision-making rather than divide it?
These questions connect directly to real-world issues in policy, governance and community life.
This project uses multiple methods to study complex social systems. By combining different approaches, researchers can better understand not just what happens, but why.
Methods include:
- game theory models to study decision-making
- computer simulations to test how systems respond to change
- lab-style experiments to observe behavior
- surveys to capture real-world perspectives
This approach helps uncover patterns and mechanisms that can inform both theory and practice.
Understanding how societies handle disagreement and change is more important than ever. This research aims to:
- strengthen the foundations of modern liberal thought
- show how different perspectives can improve social outcomes
- support better policy decisions at local and broader levels
- contribute to ongoing academic conversations across disciplines
It also reflects the broader goals of PPE, bringing together philosophy, politics and economics to address complex challenges.
Projects like this shape the learning environment at UB. Students may engage with related ideas through coursework, discussions and research-informed teaching.
Curious how research like this connects to your studies? PPE at UB gives you the tools to explore big questions and apply them to real-world challenges.
For more information about this project and related activities:
