Exploring Degrowth by Vincent Liegey;Anitra Nelson;

Author:Vincent Liegey;Anitra Nelson;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Book Network Int'l Limited trading as NBN International (NBNi)

CULTURAL HEGEMONY AND CRITICAL MASS STRATEGY

Radical critiques of both failed revolutions and reformist strategies point out that it is not enough to simply seize and assume state power. The degrowth movement has integrated the Italian intellectual and politician Antonio Gramcsi’s concept of ‘cultural hegemony’ into its strategic thinking.3 Indeed, a main challenge for the degrowth movement is to radically influence society in cultural ways. Here the multi-pronged approach of applying the wisdom of that set of thoughts undergirding degrowth (chapter 2) through articulated spheres of action (chapter 3), plays a central role in decolonising the dominating capitalist imaginary – opening up people’s consciousness to the possibility of creating an alternative world. Being active in the world makes degrowth real, enables fruitful conversations with observers and critics, and offers ways to integrate new members into the degrowth network (Figure 4.1).

The main goal of degrowth and related movements is to hypothesise, experiment with and co-create the conditions for change that ultimately leads to a critical mass supporting postgrowth. The main goal is not to take power and exert power over because that runs a serious risk of the movement becoming a self-interested servant of its own power. The aim, instead, is to influence, engage with and incorporate, sufficient numbers of people to radically transform society. This is how the movement can change the world, neither by taking power nor by abandoning power to the reigning political and economic elites.

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