Version 3.2

Towards a Degrowth Struggle

Learnings from Ecoanarchist Zines

Degrowth has been criticized for its eurocentrism, for being elite-driven and for not considering its implications on the poor. Though these critiques are often misinformed, they do raise important questions regarding the somewhat homogenous degrowth community and the overemphasis on top-down policy proposals. The latter points to the prioritization of what Wright (2009) calls a symbiotic logic of transformation, or a strategy of transformation aimed at working with existing institutions to create change from within. To expand degrowth’s transformational capacity, it is essential to pay more attention to interstitial and ruptural logics of transformation, i.e. strategies that work outside of existing institutions or aim to actively dismantle those institutions that are thought to be destructive. To do so, degrowth can draw inspiration from and create alliances with other movements known to enact these strategies. This presentation looks to ecoanarchism, whose long and rich history opposing the capitalist machine can provide critical insights for degrowth pathways. This is done through an analysis of contemporary ecoanarchist zines from many different places. A zine is a pamphlet, or a small magazine, meant for easy and widespread distribution. Based on a sample of zines, contemporary ecoanarchism is explored within four thematic clusters: modes of organizing, science and technology, human and nonhuman relations, and questions regarding the state. Rooted in workers’ movements of the late 19th century and further developed in a variety of contexts, anarchism is well situated to expand degrowth’s mostly western and academic scope. Furthermore, a deeper alliance between ecoanarchism and degrowth would offer a mutually beneficial relationship to strengthen efforts towards a more socially and environmentally just future.

Info

Day: 2023-08-30
Start time: 17:00
Duration: 00:15
Room: ZV-8-3
Type: Paper Presentation
Theme: Resilience building through degrowth

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