Broken story 2: 'We have to work towards what is possible instead of what is needed' ->Is there a consensus on 'what is needed'? See our paper upload 'Questions_and_Remarks_on_Strategy_for_Collective_Action'.

Broken story 3: 'Policy advocacy and lobbyism are the best way to be influential... margins are very small, institutions are failing': → what are the consequences? Should current institutions be replaced and if so, how? (question of power!) or rather changed: enlarge margins by promoting more democratic control over them /participation in them; strengthen power of those democratically enhanced institutions? See also our paper upload 'Questions_and_Remarks_on_Strategy_for_Collective_Action'.

Broken story 6: 'the world is divided between the good and the bad...': yes, very true-> the system influences also currently the 'culture' level and thus the behaviour and values etc of the '99%'.

I very much agree with the remark on culture level:'activists, organisations and campaigns need to embody the values of the new system to support the transition'. Organisations that should be Degrowth-friendly are not necessarily so in some basic aspects (NABU: growth/monetarisation paradigm does not seem to be questioned; an example of rather blatant promotion of consumerism is the existence of things like 'NABU shop, Greenpeace shop etc).

How deeply ingrained does a cultural change have to be in order to be permanent? (example: trends like veganism, furthered by books like 'vegan for fit')

Some of the obstacles for cultural change: fear, insecurity, resignation, individualisation ('Einzelkämpfertum') → focus on how to ensure own material wellbeing/security, focus on (own!) family/children. especially in Germany: too many of those who could afford to spend time and energy on change, do not think it is necessary (lack of solidarity, lack of empathy, and reasons above) many of the others do not have enough time/energy left what about the unemployed, how can they be recruited? How to produce more solidarity? One idea: establish personal contacts with refugees, poor,... how to make this attractive?

→ practical application of research on psychology, sociology of change would be useful

Regime level: What does this mean in detail? See remark about 'broken story 3'. There are quite different types of regime: government, NGOs, economic lobbies – in part they cooperate, in part they fight each other; → different strategies might be needed? Might it be helpful to detail the regime level a bit more?

It might be helpful to look at concrete examples of level objects, feedback loops etc – how do we react on negative feedback loops, how can they be detected? (link to Gualter: research is needed!)

Hi there,

Interesting proposal and has a lot of good points, but I think it misses some things.

Broken story 6: sure the system is the main problem - but the system is benefiting a few (say the top 20% - most of "the west") and maintained by an even smaller few with the political, economic and military power - both these groups will resist what takes away their power and privilidge. Even if we'll all be happier and healthier in the end - they won't be on top or as rich.

I'm lacking much info on HOW activism will work towards degrowth. Yes the points like culture are important - but they don't directly challenge power of elites. I'm personally quite in favour of making the point that activism should actively resist capitalism/ a growth based society - which can be done in variety of ways and to degrees of militancy - but I think it's really important to say that the current system isn't working and it needs taking down - and fast - whilst also working on new cultures and systems simultaneously.

FYI:
Here is a paper that seems to be the basis for Micha's Multi-Level Model (@Micha: A reference would have been nice). It contains some detailed information on how to read and use the model.Geels and Schot 2007 - Typology of sociotechnical transition pathways.pdf

PS: Sorry for not showing up at the group again. I had to degrow my ambitions a bit.