Version 3.2

The ‘CapCollage’

An educational workshop tool on problematic mechanisms of capitalism

Degrowth is about criticizing a globalizing and growth-oriented socio-economic system – in short, capitalism – for the destructive implications it has on human and non-human beings. Moreover, degrowth is a creative search for just, participatory, and sustainable alternatives. Understanding the former and engaging with the latter go hand in hand: Developing knowledge of problematic socio-economic mechanisms related to capitalism (e.g., debt-based money creation) helps people, organizations, and communities to better implement degrowth-oriented approaches (e.g., complementary local currencies). Against this backdrop, a collaborative research process was launched to develop a set of cards on key problematic mechanisms of capitalism. As a first step, researchers working on degrowth or post-growth are asked to provide brief and easy-to-understand presentations on (a) a socio-economic process that is recurrent within or due to capitalism, (b) problematic implications for the actors involved or the broader socio-ecological environment, and (c) appropriate scholarly sources. In a second step, the participating researchers are invited to give each other constructive feedback on the presented mechanisms and to reflect on their interrelationships. Finally, in a third step, participants vote for the mechanisms they consider most compelling, scientifically sound, and relevant. This three-step process is iteratively repeated until a set of mechanism cards emerges that, when pieced together in educational workshops, paint a holistic collage of capitalism‘s problematic dynamics – the ‘CapCollage’. A key inspiration for this project is the ‘Climate Fresk’. This 42-card workshop tool helps people understand the causes and consequences of climate change. It is easily accessible, scalable, and encourages taking action.

Info

Day: 2023-08-30
Start time: 16:45
Duration: 00:15
Room: ZV-KC-1
Type: Paper Presentation
Theme: Communicating degrowth within a consumerist common sense

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Concurrent Sessions