Economic growth used to make people feel better about the state of the world, but that’s no longer the case. Research shows that frustration with wealth inequality has resulted in widespread disillusionment with capitalism, leading people to feel deeply sceptical of public institutions.

In the Understanding Allyship Deep Dive, we explore how brands reacted to the BLM protests in 2020, unpicking how people want them to show support and the consequences of offering only surface-level action. What role should individuals and businesses play in tackling social issues?

The death of George Floyd and ensuing protests saw companies worldwide attempt to address systemic racism in their messaging – though many faced a tide of consumer cynicism. Semiotics expert Chris Arning explains how brands can meaningfully show their commitment to anti-racist action.

Patagonia has announced various measures to help improve voting accessibility in the 2020 US general election. With the brand known for its political activism, its continued dialogue with important issues will likely resonate as consumers increasingly look to brands to take a stand.