The economic crisis as a game changer? Exploring the role of social construction in sustainability transitions

Loorbach, Derk, Avelino, Flor, Haxeltine, Alex, Wittmayer, Julia M., O'Riordan, Tim, Weaver, Paul and Kemp, René (2016) The economic crisis as a game changer? Exploring the role of social construction in sustainability transitions. Ecology and Society, 21 (4). ISSN 1708-3087

Preview

PDF (Published manuscript) - Published Version Download (131kB) | Preview

Abstract

Continuing economic turbulence has fuelled debates about social and political reform as much as it has stimulated actions and initiatives aimed at a more fundamental transition of dominant economic systems. This paper takes a transition perspective to explore, from a Western European viewpoint, how the economic crisis is actually viewed through a variety of interpretations and responded to through a range of practices. We argue that framing societal phenomena such as the economic crisis as "symptoms of transition" through alternative narratives and actions can give rise to the potential for (seemingly) short-term pressures to become game changers. Game changers are then defined as the combination of: specific events, the subsequent or parallel framing of events in systemic terms by engaged societal actors, and (eventually) the emergence of (diverse) alternative narratives and practices (in response to the systemic framing of events). Game changers, when understood in these terms, help to orient, legitimize, guide, and accelerate deep changes in society. We conclude that such dynamics in which game changers gain momentum might also come to play a critical role in transitions. Therefore, we argue for developing a better understanding of and methodologies to further study the coevolutionary dynamics associated with game changers, as well as exploring the implications for governance.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	economic crisis,game changers,narratives of change,practices of change
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE)
Related URLs:	http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol21/i...
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	26 Jan 2017 02:38
Last Modified:	20 Mar 2023 12:38
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/62168
DOI:	10.5751/ES-08761-210415

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item