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Semi-plenary: Civic Action – Creating and Living Alternative Futures, with Ann Mische and Paul Lichterman
Type
conference contribution
Date Issued
2021-09
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
Alternative futures do not only emerge through mass media and mass publics, but through commitment in (physical) copresence that is often established in groups and movements. Civic action within such communities aims, on the one hand, to bring about institutional changes. As such, they constitute both practical and epistemic communities in which knowledge for alternative futures is (re)produced, seeking to make this knowledge more widely relevant than just within this community. In these “tiny publics” (Fine & Harrington 2004), on the other hand, resistance is not only enacted by striving for structural change. Rather, they are crucial in constituting spaces in which their members practice and experience alternative ways of living. Within such groups, individual and collective meanings of resistance often coalesce and become underpinned with lived experience. Identities, practices, and experiences fashioned and gained within the plausibility structures of such groups may reverberate throughout the lives of former group members, creating not only rational evidence, but also emotional-appreciative evidence (Max Weber) that alternative futures are feasible.
This semi-plenary’s aim is to address questions of how creating and living alternative futures in groups and movements in structured. What are the key structural properties of such movements? What are the various “group styles” (Eliasoph & Lichterman 2003) that shape the culture of deliberation, discussion and interaction in such groups? How is attachment to the group and commitment to its purposes created, particularly (yet not only) through the interplay of various forms of physical and digital copresence? What are the symbolic, political, cultural, social or material motivations of individuals to participate and engage in such groups? How do the political commitments of such groups reverberate beyond the boundaries of the respective communities?
Both speakers in this semi-plenary have extensive experience in the study of civic action aimed at creating and living other futures. Through juxtaposing various levels of analysis and different contexts, the semi-plenary seeks to foster a discussion on and advance sociological knowledge and understanding of the processes through which actors aim to improve society.
This semi-plenary’s aim is to address questions of how creating and living alternative futures in groups and movements in structured. What are the key structural properties of such movements? What are the various “group styles” (Eliasoph & Lichterman 2003) that shape the culture of deliberation, discussion and interaction in such groups? How is attachment to the group and commitment to its purposes created, particularly (yet not only) through the interplay of various forms of physical and digital copresence? What are the symbolic, political, cultural, social or material motivations of individuals to participate and engage in such groups? How do the political commitments of such groups reverberate beyond the boundaries of the respective communities?
Both speakers in this semi-plenary have extensive experience in the study of civic action aimed at creating and living other futures. Through juxtaposing various levels of analysis and different contexts, the semi-plenary seeks to foster a discussion on and advance sociological knowledge and understanding of the processes through which actors aim to improve society.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
SHSS - Kulturen, Institutionen, Maerkte (KIM)
Event Title
Sociological Knowledge for Alternative Futures. 15th ESA Conference
Event Location
Barcelona, Spain (online)
Event Date
31. August–3. September 2021
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Contact Email Address
florian.elliker@unisg.ch
Eprints ID
267810