Dear All
First Call for Papers
The panel is part of the XI World Congress of Rural Sociology, Trondheim,
Norway, July 25 - 30, 2004 (www.irsa-world.org)
A post-Organic Future? Assessing and understanding the role of the global
Organic movement.
After the recent rapid growth of the Organic movement throughout most of
the world, there has been a vigorous debate about whether the movement has
been able to make any changes to the dominant agro-food system or whether
it has already been incorporated into the dominant systems of capitalism.
This leads to the question of whether the future is post-Organic or
whether the resistance offered by the movement is only just beginning.
This panel seeks to assess the role of the Organic movement within
contemporary societies through a variety of levels of discussion and
debate.
Movement history & dynamics – each national Organic movement has a history
which is often only partially or episodically understood. Cultural
differences – several movements appear to have been stimulated by people
either moving from urban areas to rural ones, or between nations, so
diffusing the techniques and ideology of Organic farming. A new analysis
of role of migrants in changing the culture of rural areas and farming
techniques could provide valuable insights into the innovations of Organic
agriculture.
Markets and sustainability – whilst there is wide agreement that organic
agriculture constitutes a social movement, large areas of movement
activity have yet to be analysed. In particular; the relationship between
the Organic movement and the Organic industry. The market has allowed the
Organic industry to grow at the same time but this appears to have created
a tension with the sustainability goals of the movement. The trajectory
of Organic foods in the market place, the environmental impact of specific
products and the compromises and conflicts of the market place could all
form the subject matter of important new investigations.
Policy studies – national and trans-national policy mechanisms have had an
important role in helping to either develop or thwart the Organic
movement. These could be further analysed or compared between regions,
nations or regimes, drawing on both theoretical models and specific
examples. In particular the role of food and agricultural policies needs
further examination in relation both to each other and to their
consequences in terms of stimulating demand and supply. Plus rural
development policies need to be addressed in terms of their socio-spatial
networks.
This panel invites contributions on these themes from concerned scholars,
particularly welcoming contributions from post-graduate students and
academics engaged with the movement.
Abstracts of 250-300 words by the 12 January to the convenors Matt Reed
([log in to unmask]) or Dr. Georgina Holt, ([log in to unmask])
Thanks
Matt
Matt Reed
Research Fellow
Centre for Rural Research
University of Exeter
Lafrowda House
St Germans Rd
Exeter
EX4 6TL
|