Title The defining characteristics of alternative food initiatives in Ireland: a social movement battling for an alternative food future? Author(s) Murtagh, Aisling Publication date 2015 Original citation Murtagh, A. 2015. The defining characteristics of alternative food initiatives in Ireland: a social movement battling for an alternative food future? PhD Thesis, University College Cork. Type of publication Doctoral thesis Rights © 2015, Aisling Murtagh. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ Embargo information No embargo required Item downloaded http://hdl.handle.net/10468/2081 from Downloaded on 2017-02-12T05:41:49Z The defining characteristics of alternative food initiatives in Ireland A social movement battling for an alternative food future? Aisling Murtagh Submitted in fulfilment of the degree of PhD National University of Ireland, Cork Centre for Co-operative Studies and Department of Food Business and Development Head of Department: Professor Michael Ward Supervisor: Professor Michael Ward May, 2015 Table of Contents Author’s declaration ix Acknowledgements x List of abbreviations xi List of appendices xii List of tables and figures xiii Abstract xiv Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Big questions, no easy answers - issues with the modern food system .................. 1 1.2 Background to the research ...................................................................................... 4 1.3 Aim and objectives of the research ......................................................................... 7 1.4 Thesis structure ........................................................................................................ 8 Chapter 2: Moving beyond rose tinted conceptualisations of alternative food initiatives to understand their role in an improved food system – a research review ....................... 10 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 10 2.2 What are alternative food initiatives? ................................................................... 10 2.3 The general characteristics of alternative food initiatives .................................... 12 2.3.1 Characterising alternative food initiatives by what they are not - the conventional, dominant food system ............................................................... 13 2.3.2 Characterising alternative food initiatives based on spatial structures .. 14 2.3.3 Characterising alternative food initiatives based on social and economic structures .......................................................................................................... 16 2.3.4 Characterising alternative food initiatives based on their underpinning values .............................................................................................................. 18 2.4 The role of alternative food initiatives in practice ................................................. 21 2.4.1 Rose tinted conceptualisations ................................................................ 22 2.4.2 Contradictions in practice ....................................................................... 23 2.4.2.1 Reproduction of inequalities in the food system...................... 24 ii 2.4.2.2 Reproduces the disconnected, individualised consumer .......... 26 2.4.2.3 Contradictions in the case of local food ................................... 27 2.4.2.4 Becoming part of the system alternative food initiatives set out to oppose: the capitalist absorption of alternatives .............................. 29 2.5 Do alternative food initiatives have a role to play in changing and improving the food system? ................................................................................................................ 32 2.5.1 Role is not as a complete alternative to the dominant food system ........ 32 2.5.2 Role as oppositional, reactionary spaces or a niche market.................... 35 2.5.3 Role as the seeds of a wider movement .................................................. 36 2.5.4 Supporting AFIs to play a greater role in food system transformation... 38 2.6 Moving alternative food studies forward ............................................................... 39 2.6.1 A need for new conceptual approaches................................................... 40 2.6.2 Ways forward .......................................................................................... 41 2.7 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 43 Chapter 3: A social movement conceptual framework to understand the role of alternative food initiatives in the food system .................................................................... 45 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 45 3.1.1 The social movement perspective ........................................................... 47 3.2 Theories of social movements................................................................................ 48 3.2.2 ‘Old’ social movement theory: collective behaviour, resource mobilisation theory and political process......................................................... 49 3.2.3 ‘New’ social movement theory ............................................................... 51 3.2.4 Bridging the theoretical divide................................................................ 53 3.3 The concept of a social movement......................................................................... 54 3.3.1 Defining traits of a social movement ...................................................... 55 3.3.1.1 Movement members................................................................. 55 3.3.1.2 Networks of informal interaction ............................................. 58 3.3.1.3 Solidarity and collective identity ............................................. 59 3.3.1.4 Promote or oppose social change through conflict and struggle .............................................................................................................. 61 iii 3.3.2 Broad characteristics of social movements ............................................. 62 3.3.2.1 The place of public and private spheres of action.................... 62 3.3.2.2 Movement goals, outcomes and impacts ................................. 65 3.3.2.3 How social movements emerge and develop ........................... 66 3.3.2.4 The activities of social movements .......................................... 68 3.3.3 The affinity between AFIs and a social movement framework .............. 69 3.3.3.1 Food, agriculture and rural ‘movements’................................. 70 3.3.3.2 Tensions and unclear goals ...................................................... 72 3.3.3.3 Individual or collective action.................................................. 74 3.3.3.4 Issues with regulation and certification .................................. 75 3.3.3.5 Advantages of the social movement approach......................... 76 3.4. What theorist? ...................................................................................................... 78 3.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 81 Chapter 4: The Theories of Pierre Bourdieu....................................................................... 82 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 82 4.2 Bourdieu and social theory .................................................................................... 83 4.2.1 A theory of practice................................................................................. 87 4.3 Capital .................................................................................................................... 88 4.3.1 Economic capital ..................................................................................... 92 4.3.2 Social capital .......................................................................................... 93 4.3.3 Cultural capital ........................................................................................ 95 4.3.4 Symbolic capital...................................................................................... 97 4.4 Social space and fields ........................................................................................... 98 4.4.1The characteristics of fields ................................................................... 100 4.4.2 Fields and capital ................................................................................. 102 4.5 Habitus ................................................................................................................. 105 4.6 Bourdieu, social change and social movements................................................... 107 4.7 Bourdieu, rural development, food and farming .................................................. 111 iv 4.8 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 114 Chapter 5: Methodology...................................................................................................... 116 5.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................