Anti-capitalism or ecology? An ethnographic study on the links between anti-capitalist and ecological thinking in a number of projects in Germany

Maczynska, Zuzanna (2015) Anti-capitalism or ecology? An ethnographic study on the links between anti-capitalist and ecological thinking in a number of projects in Germany. Masters dissertation, University of Cumbria. Item availability may be restricted.

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Abstract

This paper scrutinises the relation between anti-capitalist and ecological actions both on a theoretical level and with reference to a number of projects in one city in Germany. Those projects implement, to various extents, the ideas of non-commerciality and anti-capitalism. On a theoretical level, I am trying to show that climate change and environmental challenges are a direct result of the prevailing capitalist system. Consequently, acting for climate would require challenging capitalism in a radical way. Therefore, I am arguing that ecological and anti-capitalist actions are complementary to one another. I am basing my study both on analysis of theoretical works and on qualitative research among few projects. Even though I perceive the projects as both ecological and anti-capitalist, people involved in them usually emphasise their anti-capitalist dimension. Only when asked directly would they call the projects ecological or draw the links between anti-capitalist and ecological actions. I try to establish how interviewees define anti-capitalism and ecology, and whether they see connections between these two approaches. During the research, I come to the conclusion that although people involved in the projects see the links between capitalism and environmental threats, they still tend to perceive anti-capitalist and ecological movements as separate from each other. I try to show that these movements should be perceived as intertwined and as a part of the same struggle.

Item Type:	Thesis/Dissertation (Masters)
Departments:	Academic Departments > Science, Natural Resources & Outdoor Studies (SNROS) > Outdoor Studies
Additional Information:	Dissertation presented in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Arts in Outdoor and Experiential Learning, University of Cumbria, 2015.
Depositing User:	Anna Lupton
Date Deposited:	01 Jun 2018 10:23
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2024 14:46
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/3899