Historical and Cultural Context refers to the specific historical periods, social conditions, and cultural settings that profoundly influence and shape social phenomena, human behaviour, and the meanings individuals attach to their experiences within a society. This meta-category emphasises that sociological concepts and social realities are not universal or static but are deeply embedded in and understood through the lens of their unique historical trajectories and prevailing cultural norms, values, beliefs, and practices. For example, concepts like colonialism, underdevelopment, modernisation, and globalisation can only be fully grasped by considering the historical eras and cultural frameworks in which they occurred and continue to evolve. This contextual understanding helps to explain the diversity of social structures, institutions, and processes across different societies and over time, highlighting how past events and cultural legacies shape present social realities and future possibilities.