-- *Mar*Yes — there *are movements, ideas, networks, academic efforts, and grassroots struggles today that resist the destructive economic paradigm you’re criticizing*, and some explicitly *demand that ecology becomes the ground of all thinking and practice rather than growth-driven economics.* They vary widely — some are radical and systemic, others reformist, many are grassroots and community-based, a few are academic but tied directly to action.
Here are *well-documented examples* (not exhaustive, but indicative): ------------------------------ *1) Degrowth Movement* — *Direct opposition to growth-based economics* The *degrowth movement* explicitly challenges the dominant paradigm that equates success with economic growth and material throughput, and calls for planned contraction of economies in rich countries while prioritizing ecological boundaries, wellbeing, and justice. It is a *global movement* encompassing activists, thinkers, and communities. (Degrowth <https://dim.degrowth.info/en/project/degrowth?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) - Degrowth advocates argue that endless material growth is incompatible with planetary limits and ecological health. (euc.yorku.ca <https://euc.yorku.ca/research-spotlight/perceptions-of-wellbeing-among-youth-climate-activists-in-climate-just-futures-bridging-climate-education-and-degrowth/?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) - Degrowth ideas are now taught and researched in academic programs (e.g., *masters in political ecology and degrowth*) in Europe and beyond. ( master.degrowth.org <https://master.degrowth.org/program-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) *This is one of the clearest examples today where ecology is explicitly placed before economics.* ------------------------------ *2) Economy for the Common Good* — *Alternative economic model* This international movement promotes an economy centered on human dignity, ecological sustainability, cooperation, solidarity, and community welfare rather than profit maximization. It is active in multiple countries with local chapters and institutional support. (Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_for_the_Common_Good?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) Rather than rejecting all economics, it reframes it toward an ecological and ethically grounded purpose. ------------------------------ *3) Blockadia Movement* — *Anti-extractivist resistance* Blockadia is a *global resistance movement against extractive industries* (especially fossil fuels) and environmental injustice. It uses civil disobedience, blockades, and direct action to stop destructive economic projects that harm ecosystems and communities. (Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockadia?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) *Although not a single formal group, the term describes a transnational grassroots wave resisting the economic forces driving extraction and climate collapse.* ------------------------------ *4) Alter-globalization (Alternative Globalization)* This broad movement opposes neoliberal economic globalization and seeks global cooperation grounded in human rights, environmental protection, fairness, and ecological justice, instead of corporate-led profit models. ( Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alter-globalization?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) While less radical than degrowth, it unites many communities, unions, and justice campaigns around ecological and economic alternatives. ------------------------------ *5) Long-standing ecological and environmental justice campaigns* Many movements are rooted in *ecology and lived resistance* to destructive ‘development’: - *Narmada Bachao Andolan* in India challenged large dam projects that displaced people and damaged ecosystems, reframing “development” to include ecological and social costs. (Journalism & Mass Communication Hub <https://journalism.university/media-information-and-empowerment/environmental-movements-india-chipko-save-tigers/?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) - Movements like *Chipko* and *Appiko* emphasized ecological wisdom and community protection of forests. (Environmental Studies (EVS) Institute <https://evs.institute/environment-and-society/rise-of-ecological-movements/?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) These are not abstract academic movements — they apply ecology as *the basis for resistance to economic extraction and growth logic.* ------------------------------ *6) Academic and intellectual movements integrating ecology and economics* Across universities in Europe (and increasingly in other regions), ecological critique of growth economics has entered *formal curricula*: - *Political ecology and degrowth programs* that train students to question growth-centered thinking. (master.degrowth.org <https://master.degrowth.org/program-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) - Degrowth reading groups and summer schools bring scholars, activists, and students together to rethink economics through ecological and justice lenses. (oikonomics.uoc.edu <https://oikonomics.uoc.edu/divulgacio/oikonomics/en/numero16/dossier/fdemaria.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) These are *universities or institutional spaces that refuse to treat conventional economics as sacred* and challenge it openly. ------------------------------ *7) Community-based ecological autonomy movements* In many regions — including India — farmers, cooperatives, and indigenous communities are practicing *ecologically centered living* that challenges mainstream economic. For example: - Organic farming, seed sovereignty, and community-run cooperatives in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra reassert ecology’s primacy over market demands. (Degrowth <https://dim.degrowth.info/en/project/radical-ecological-democracy-3?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) These are *lived alternatives* that embody ecological principles rather than theoretical rejection alone. ------------------------------ *Clarifications & Types of Movements* Not all movements are the same — they differ in *methods* and *goals*: 🌱 *Scholarly / Intellectual Movements* - *Degrowth scholarship* - *Political ecology* - *Post-growth economics programs* These shape future leaders and challenge economic paradigms. ✊ *Grassroots / Civil Resistance* - Blockadia - Appiko, Chipko, NBA - Local ecological autonomy initiatives These defend ecosystems and challenge economic exploitation on the ground. 🔁 *Alternative Economic Models* - Economy for the Common Good - Solidarity economies, prosumer economies (community-based mutual support) These open real alternatives to conventional profit-driven models. ------------------------------ *What about universities actively refusing the rat race?* There are *pockets and programs*, not (yet) entire institutions widely rejecting economic norms. Examples include: ✔ Universities offering *degrowth and political ecology degrees* that explicitly interrogate growth paradigms. (master.degrowth.org <https://master.degrowth.org/program-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) ✔ Long-term academic activist groups (degrowth reading groups, summer schools) that cultivate ecological thinking. (oikonomics.uoc.edu <https://oikonomics.uoc.edu/divulgacio/oikonomics/en/numero16/dossier/fdemaria.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) ✔ Some campuses host ecological justice, radical sustainability, and social-ecological activism. However, *no large mainstream university has fully rejected the growth-based economic model altogether* — most still operate within it institutionally. But *critical spaces within universities do exist* where students and faculty challenge economic orthodoxies and place ecology at the center. ------------------------------ *Summary* Yes — *there are movements that resist economic destruction and elevate ecological logic*: ✔ *Degrowth movement (global)* — challenges growth itself. (Degrowth <https://dim.degrowth.info/en/project/degrowth?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) ✔ *Alternative economic models* like *Economy for the Common Good*. ( Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_for_the_Common_Good?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) ✔ *Alter-globalization and Blockadia* — direct social resistance. (Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alter-globalization?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) ✔ *Grassroots ecological resistance in India and other regions*. (Degrowth <https://dim.degrowth.info/en/project/radical-ecological-democracy-3?utm_source=chatgpt.com> ) ✔ *Academic programs and groups rethinking economics ecologically*. ( master.degrowth.org <https://master.degrowth.org/program-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com>) ------------------------------ If you’d like, I can go deeper and *map these movements categorically* (local/global, academic/activist, reformist/radical) and show *how someone could connect with or participate in them meaningfully*. Would you like that? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CACDCHCKmHeyP7O1myEfAnjaZgd8QO3d2yrtoRuw-x%2BuuBGkGNQ%40mail.gmail.com.
