Buen Vivir - Neue Töne aus Lateinamerika mit Grupo Sal und Alberto Acosta

Here are some materials that relate to the topic of social ecological transformations and the social metabolism framework we discussed this afternoon. They may be particularly of interest for those enjoying academic readings, but also anyone wanting to extend and deepen the discussions started then.

• M Fischer-Kowalski, H Weisz, 1999. Society as hybrid between material and symbolic realms. Advances in human ecology.
• Evan D.G. Fraser; Warren Mabee; Olav Slaymaker, Mutual vulnerability, mutual dependence: The reflexive relation between human society and the environment. Global Environmental Change 13, 137-144.
• M Fischer-Kowalski et al. 2011, Sociometabolic transitions in subsistence communities: Boserup revisited in four comparative case studies. Human Ecology Review, Vol. 18, No. 2
• M Fischer-Kowalski, SJ Singh, L Ringhofer, 2010. Sociometabolic regimes in indigenous communities and the crucial role of working time: A comparison of case studies.

And here some own writings analysing sociometabolic crisis/transformations:

G Baptista, 2011. The Portuguese debt crisis: institutional tangles and the EU metabolic trap. Ecología Política 42.

G Baptista 2010. Bridging Environmental Conflicts With Social Metabolism Forestry Expansion And Socioeconomic Change.

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Opinion Barometer on Degrowth

Target Group: group of adults (here: the growl course)

Objective: "Circulation of view" and discussion about different statements. It can be used to open up a topic or the reflect a module/training/course.

Time: 30 minutes

Short Description: We will create a "cross" at the floor with two diametrical lines:

- "I agree - I disagree"

- "I thought a lot about it" - "I have never thought about it"

We have different statements and the people can find their position on the lines / at the cross.Some people share their opinion and explain why they decided to stay at their position. People can change position if they change their point of view during the discourse. After two or three questions we also invite the group to make some provocative statements on the topic to create a group discussion on different issues.

Statements about Degrowth (general):

"Everyone has the right to have a car." (--> equality vs. exploitation)

"A degrowth society can only be achieved only through revolution and protest."

"There can be growing (economic) sectors in a degrowth society."

"Degrowth should be spread all over the world." (--> does it relate to the Global South?) 

"In some regions of the world growth is important to fight poverty."

"Private ownership is an obstacle for degrowth."

"Self-restriction is a necessary part of degrowth."

Statements about Work in a degrowth society:

"In a degrowth society there is no work needed anymore." (or: "The concept of work is not useful anymore")

"The growl course is work for me."