The term socialization is used by sociologists, social psychologists and educationalists to refer to the process of learning one’s culture and how to live within it. For the individual it provides the resources necessary for acting and participating within their society. For the society, inducting all individual members into its moral norms, attitudes, values, motives, social roles, language and symbols is the ‘means by which social and cultural continuity are attained.

Natural resources are socialised through consumerism.  In making our day-to-day purchases we consent to the economic and political status quo.  The real nature of the products we buy is a heady mix of ideology, a lack of knowledge about fundamental economic, technological and environmental issues surrounding the distribution of resources, and the role of power politics in producing/ maintaining social inequalites.  To take this learning route is to appreciate the primacy of social justice as the prerequisite of long term local and global ecological harmony.  It also leads to an understanding of the educational values of non-violent, non- materialistist and non-exploitative behaviours, which are required to hold other people and nature in equal regard with ourselves. This is the crux of education for sustainability.   Until the mass of people, confronted with these increasing inadequacies and contradictions of the capitalist economic system, decide to act collectively to shape society, an alternative social and economic system is unlikely to come about.  At present, all that a supportive education system can do is provide situations in which students can live and work cooperatively rather than competitively.