Everyone is talking about grievances and crises: here the climate and raw materials crisis, there the ongoing socio-political crisis in Greece, or the inhumane exploitation in the textile industry. Many are aware of the problems – yet little seems to change. Why? The concept of the imperial lifestyle explains why, in the face of increasing injustices, no forward-looking alternatives are gaining traction, and why a socio-ecological transformation continues to be delayed. This dossier presents the concept of the imperial lifestyle and explains how our current modes of production and living burden both people and nature. Various areas of our daily lives are examined, including nutrition, mobility, and digitalization. Finally, socio-ecological alternatives and approaches are introduced on how we can achieve a good life for all – instead of a better life for a few.