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Degrowth and Social Innovation an Analysis of Social Innovation Initiatives in Berne

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Degrowth and Social Innovation an Analysis of Social Innovation Initiatives in Berne Degrowth and Social Innovation An Analysis of Social Innovation Initiatives in Berne Master Thesis Andrea Winiger Mai 2018 Université de Genève Institut de démographie et socioéconomie Supervisors Prof. Jean-Michel Bonvin Institut de démographie et socioéconomie, Université de Genève Prof. Heike Mayer Institute of Geography, Economic Geography, University of Berne 1 Abstract Given the countless negative side effects of the growth strategies pursued by western economies in the past centuries the time seems ripe for a paradigm shift. The concept of degrowth seems to be a promising approach for replacing the current growth paradigm. This research analyses if innovation and in particular social innovation would be appropriate drivers for such a change towards degrowth. Furthermore, it examines what would be relevant factors for such innovations to be successful. More specifically, the study looks at what factors of success, challenges and framework conditions, four social innovation initiatives in Bern face. The necessary data has been collected through semi-structured interviews and a focus group. A qualitative content analysis has been conducted for analysing the data. The results show that not all types of innovations are equally suitable drivers of change towards degrowth. Non-material innovation, such as for example social innovation, are to be preferred compared to material innovations due to the growth effects of the latter. Moreover, several common factors of success for the social innovation initiatives in Berne were identified. Finally, possible solutions for one particular challenge of the analysed social innovation initiatives were developed during the focus group. 2 Acknowledgements This master thesis could not have been written without the highly-appreciated support of many people. That is why, at this point I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for their valuable and decisive contributions. I would first like to thank the two supervisors of this thesis Professor Jean-Michel Bonvin from the University of Geneva and Professor Heike Mayer from the University of Bern for their support and guidance. Even more importantly, I would like to thank my two supervisors for their enormous flexibility and sympathy with regards to the postponing of the deadline for this thesis due to the difficult personal circumstances I faced last year. I am also very grateful to the interview partners and participants of the focus group from the four social innovation initiatives Radiesli, Transition Town Bern, Wohnbaugenossenschaft Warmbächli as well as Repair Café Bern. Their passionate participation and their valuable input were crucial for the conduct of this research. Thank you for taking the time and for participating. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Sanna Frischkneckt and Christoph Oberlack for their beneficial inputs as well as the stimulating discussions and exchange of ideas. I am further gratefully indebted to Isabelle Albisser and Caroline Schöbi for the provision of literature as well as for their valuable comments on this thesis. Further my thanks are due also to Margrit Hugentobler for facilitating the access to an inspiring working place in Locarno. I would also like to give a special thanks to Dawn Bischof for the proofreading of this thesis. My heartfelt thanks also go to my dear mother Myrtha Winiger for her continuous and wholehearted support throughout my studies and in particular through the process of researching and writing this thesis. Finally, I am profoundly grateful to my partner Ursina Anesini for providing me with unfailing support and continuous encouragement even in the most difficult times. I would also like to thank her for her invaluable help in preparing and conducting the focus group. Furthermore, I am deeply grateful to her additional provision of unpaid care work during the writing of this thesis. This accomplishment would not have been possible without her. 3 Table of contents 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 7 2. Scientific context......................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Economic growth criticism ................................................................................................ 10 2.1.1 A short history of economic growth criticism ..................................................................................... 10 2.1.2 Today’s economic growth criticism .................................................................................................... 12 2.1.3 Alternative economic models ............................................................................................................. 14 2.2 Degrowth ......................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.1 History of the degrowth movement ................................................................................................... 15 2.2.2 Defining degrowth .............................................................................................................................. 16 2.2.3 Conservative degrowth approach ...................................................................................................... 17 2.2.4 Degrowth approach focused on social reform ................................................................................... 17 2.2.5 Degrowth approach focused on sufficiency ....................................................................................... 18 2.2.6 Feminist degrowth approach ............................................................................................................. 18 2.2.7 Degrowth approach critical of capitalism ........................................................................................... 21 2.3 Need for change ............................................................................................................... 25 2.3.1 Innovation ........................................................................................................................................... 25 2.2.1 Social innovation ................................................................................................................................ 29 3. Attempt of a synthesis: (de)growth and (social) innovation ......................................... 37 3.1 Does innovation and degrowth go together? ..................................................................... 38 3.1.1 From innovation to exnovation, imitation and renovation ................................................................ 39 3.1.2 Different dimensions and types of innovations.................................................................................. 41 3.1.2.1 Technology: growth driving effects & rebound effects .............................................................. 42 3.1.2.2 Usage System: new ways of fulfilling needs ............................................................................... 45 3.1.2.3 Culture: changing patterns of demand ....................................................................................... 46 3.1.3 Prioritisation of the different types of innovations and modes of change......................................... 48 3.2 Implications with regards to a solidary degrowth economy ................................................ 50 3.3 What about social innovation and degrowth? .................................................................... 51 3.4 Conclusion: (de)-growth & (social) innovation ................................................................... 52 4. Social innovation initiatives in Berne ........................................................................... 54 4.1 Selection process .............................................................................................................. 55 4.2 The community supported agriculture project Radiesli ...................................................... 56 4.3 The housing cooperative Warmbächli ................................................................................ 58 4.4 The Transition Town Initiative Bern ................................................................................... 61 4.5 The Repair Café Bern ........................................................................................................ 63 5. Theoretical perspective ............................................................................................... 66 5.1 Transformation processes ................................................................................................. 66 4 5.2 Model of successful change ............................................................................................... 66 5.2.1 Change as multi-level process ............................................................................................................ 67 5.2.1 Opposition .......................................................................................................................................... 69 5.2.3 Change agents .................................................................................................................................... 69 5.2.4 Time aspects ....................................................................................................................................... 70 5.2.5 Ideas of change ..................................................................................................................................
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