Alternative Food Networks with Chinese Characteristics

Scholars studying Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) have struggled with the question of whether these initiatives are a type of entertainment for a few middle class consumers, or the part of a political struggle to configure new food system relations. My response is that in China, AFNs are both. This research provides an empirically grounded theoretical analysis of AFNs, or assemblages of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms, buying clubs and ecological farmers’ markets, forming in China’s industrialized regions. AFNs in the global north have emerged in liberal capitalist democracies with industrialized food systems characterized by private land ownership, declining small farm sectors, consolidated farm to retail chains, predominance of supermarket retail, standards and laws to safeguard food safety and an active civil society sector. The Chinese context sits in contrast with its unique version of ‘capitalism with social characteristics’, a commons approach to land ownership, predominance of smallholder agriculture and traditional marketing chains, a commitment to domestic food security, nascent food safety legislation and a civil society with limited autonomy from an authoritarian state that keeps shifting the terrain of what is permitted. In this landscape, new food procurement relations that I consider AFNs, have emerged in response to the loss of the peasantry and its traditions, environmental crises perpetuated by productivist agriculture policies, and a persistent ‘food safety crisis’. These nascent food networks manifest contradictory characteristics. I argue that instead of fitting into the ‘either or’ categories of conventional and alternative food systems, China’s AFNs need be seen as hybrid systems. This research explores 19 AFN cases (CSA farms, farmers’ markets and buying clubs) using interviews, site visits, surveys and blog monitoring. It explores these networks using four ‘lenses’. First, I examine the capitalist and other-than-capitalist relations in these AFN using a post-capitalist diverse economies framework. I reveal diverse economic relations in China’s AFNs where capitalist and non-capitalist relations co-exist and where the persistence of the peasantry, de-peasantization and re-peasantization processes all occur simultaneously. Second, I examine the ecological relations in these networks. I argue that in the context of productivism associated with strong domestic food security policies, these AFNs demonstrate a mixture of traditional and modern production methods. Further, reacting to a widespread distrust of state-led organic and ecological agriculture institutions, producers and consumers in these networks are forging bottom-up alternatives and constructing their own meaning of ecological and organic through reflexive civic process. Third, I look at the interpersonal relations in these networks and the degree to which they are relations characterized by trust and reconnections between producers and consumers. I examine how re-building trust in the context of China’s ‘food safety crisis’ proves difficult in these AFNs. Using care ethics theory, I reveal how these AFNs can be seen as ‘windows’ through which people can glimpse different kinds of reconnections and care ethics, that for many result in hybrid producer-consumer identities that complicate market based notions of people who buy and people who supply food. Finally, I look at the political relations in these networks and consider they degree to which they can be understood as transformative. I argue that these AFNs are beginning to create a space ‘beyond the market’ to fill a civil society void and influence broader food system issues and policies. In the context of the pervasive uncertainty of an authoritarian state, China’s AFNs are developing a repertoire of subtle and often covert ‘everyday resistance’ strategies to challenge hegemony. Beyond being ‘simply’ sites of material transactions, these AFNs can be seen as ‘portals’ through which people can connect to trans-global food justice movements that have no official presence in China. Individualist responses of consumption and collective responses of citizens are being transgressed and we can understand AFNs as hybrids of market based initiatives and civil society movements

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Deradicalisation: Results from Germany and Pakistan

Deradicalisation refers to the process of distancing oneself from extremist ideologies. As a social challenge, it is usually addressed by specially qualified professionals. In this paper, based on 16 interviews with deradicalisation professionals, we comparatively examine deradicalisation practices in coercive environments in Germany and Pakistan. This cross-cultural comparison using “most dissimilar” cases allows us to distinguish between general and culture-specific approaches, while also allowing the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches to emerge; this can be used to further develop deradicalisation efforts. Based on our evaluation of target groups, goals, professional understandings of radicalisation and its methods, this text elaborates the differences and similarities of deradicalisation practices; we also formulate consequences for deradicalisation practice and outline the need for further research

CSAs in Canada and China: innovation and paradox

In recent years thousands of diverse alternative food networks and ventures have emerged around the world. Critical food scholars have argued that these alternatives are in response to a global agro-industrial system which disconnects people from food production and associated ecologies, and that this in turn results in a number of environmental, social, and economic crises vulnerabilities (cf Gomiero, Pimentel & Maurizio, 2011; Weis, 2010). Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiatives were among the earliest of these alternatives. In the original CSA approach, a group of consumers (usually referred to as ‘members’ or ‘shareholders’ support a producer by purchasing a share of the farm’s production at the beginning of the season and thus sharing the risks and benefits of the harvest. In this way, CSAs seek a new form of association and market governance in order to redistribute value back to producers, re-build trust between producers and consumers and produce food with an ethics of care (Cox et al, 2008) for people and ecosystems. However, today’s CSAs differ from the original model in significant ways. They take a variety of organizational forms, draw on different ideologies, use a variety of land tenure arrangements and perform different types of market relations. This presentation examines recent innovations and associated contradictions in the CSA approach as farmers try to simultaneously accomplish economic, social and ecological goals. CSAs, as market based alternatives sit at a highly paradoxical moment in history and their operators struggle between capturing value in the marketplace while maintaining the underlying values that initiated the movement. The presentation begins with a description of the CSA movement in Canada and offers a typology that describes the evolving characteristics and innovations in this diverse movement. We then draw on both Canadian and Chinese data to suggest 3 paradoxes that may be evolving in the CSA movement: The economic paradox of market-based social change – Can CSAs keep their alternativeness or is co-optation inevitable? Originally, CSAs were established as food “de-commodifiers”. Their pricing structure and shared-risk approach delinked the cost of food from market-based commodity pricing and enrolled consumers as full partners in food procurement. Traditionally CSAs rejected the emphasis on industrialization, economies of scale and maximization of efficiency that defines conventional agriculture. However, present CSAs in both Canada and China are changing payment schemes to be more attractive and competitive in the marketplace. Indeed we suggest that the model that originally separated the CSAs from other forms of commodified food procurement is eroding. In both countries, CSAs are threatened by co-optation from capital and or state interests. The social justice paradox– Does the CSA approach include and empower or subjugate smallholder and peasant farmers? CSAs were originally framed as an approach that could provide a stable income for smallholders trying to earn livelihoods in consolidating agricultural markets. While it remains true that CSAs offer strong economic opportunities for growers with small acreage, our research suggests that non-farmers are beginning to see the CSA as an entrepreneurial opportunity. Despite the different agrarian and political trajectories in Canada and China, in both countries the CSA movement is witnessing what could be described as a “re-peasantization”. While this has resulted in rapid increases in the number of CSAs in both countries, a deeper look suggests that this trend poses threats to economic justice for smallholder and peasants farmer and that new forms of peasant subjugation could be evolving. The ecological paradox – To what degree does the CSA approach re-embed ecological relations? The CSA model as it was originally designed, respects natural metabolisms and re-connects food procurement to natural cycles. In Canada, CSAs were initiated from within the organic movement, and hence strong ecological values have shaped their development. In China, CSAs seem to be simultaneously influenced by Taoist and Confucian belief in harmony between man and nature and Maoist perspectives on conquering nature. This translates into diverse and paradoxical ecological values and practices. We conclude that the CSA approach is a hopeful response to social, economic and environmental challenges. The model demonstrates the potential for strong economic returns and inclusion for smallholders, affordability of trusted food for eaters and strong environmental stewardship. The approach is flexible and farmers are adapting it to address different political, social and economic circumstances. However, it also seems that CSAs are turning more and more to mainstream business practices and market relations and there is a risk that this could undermine the features that define the CSA as an alternative

Categorizing Practical Training Programs for New Farmers

Despite limited study, farmer training is an area of growing interest and concern among new and experienced farmers across North America. It is also an area with broad implications regarding the future of domestic food production. This paper presents findings from a community-campus partnership research study that aimed to explore, document, and categorize existing and emergent models of practical farmer training in North America. We begin by describing the context of practical farming and the need for training programs, followed by a discussion of our findings organized into five analytical categories along with discussion of their implications: (1) Informal farm internship associations; (2) centralized internship programs; (3) private or nonprofit course-based programs; (4) formal academic programs; and (5) independent and self-directed learning. We conclude with some implications from this study and suggest areas for future research. It is our hope that the categories presented here will provide a springboard to support the future research and development of new practical farmer training programs

Radikalisierung und Radikalisierungsprävention vor Ort - Zur Notwendigkeit der Entwicklung einer sozialräumlichen Präventionsstrategie

Schumilas L, Rees YPM, Kurtenbach S. Radikalisierung und Radikalisierungsprävention vor Ort - Zur Notwendigkeit der Entwicklung einer sozialräumlichen Präventionsstrategie. Sozialmagazin . 2024;4(49. Jg. )

BiblioComprehension: Are Canadian Public Libraries Communicating Privacy Concerns about BiblioCommons to Patrons?

Increasingly, public libraries are incorporating interactive, collaborative, and user-centred social discovery tools into traditional library services with the goal of better serving their patrons. These tools are designed to encourage communication and interaction between library patrons and staff by providing a platform for patrons to evaluate, comment on, create, and share personalized lists of their favourite items in a library’s collection. BiblioCommons is one example of a discovery tool that has been embraced by public libraries and their patrons to this end. Yet, while tools such as BiblioCommons offer many benefits to library patrons, relying on these tools to deliver core library services may violate patron privacy and confidentiality. Using the American Library Association Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights as a framework, we explore the websites of Canadian public libraries that use BiblioCommons to discover how these libraries communicate privacy concerns associated with the use of this service to their patrons. Based on our findings, we argue that libraries are largely failing in their ethical responsibility to alert patrons to the privacy and confidentiality concerns associated with BiblioCommons

Räumliche Konstellationen, Radikalisierungspotenziale und raumbezogene Radikalisierungsprävention - Der Fall Bonn-Tannenbusch

Weitzel G, Schumilas L, Rees YPM, Kurtenbach S. Räumliche Konstellationen, Radikalisierungspotenziale und raumbezogene Radikalisierungsprävention - Der Fall Bonn-Tannenbusch. KN:IX Analyse . 2023

Strukturen schaffen, gemeinsam handeln und Qualität sichern - Eine Handreichung zur Ausrichtung und Zukunft der Radikalisierungsprävention und -intervention mit dem Schwerpunkt des islamistischen Extremismus in Deutschland auf der Grundlage eines systematischen Mappings der Präventionslandschaft

Behr HH, Freiheit M, Kiefer M, et al. Strukturen schaffen, gemeinsam handeln und Qualität sichern - Eine Handreichung zur Ausrichtung und Zukunft der Radikalisierungsprävention und -intervention mit dem Schwerpunkt des islamistischen Extremismus in Deutschland auf der Grundlage eines systematischen Mappings der Präventionslandschaft. 1st ed. Bielefeld: Universität Bielefeld; 2021

Radikalisierungsprävention in Deutschland. Mapping und Analyse von Präventions- und Distanzierungsprojekten im Umgang mit islamistischer Radikalisierung

Der Sammelband „Radikalisierungsprävention in Deutschland. Mapping und Analyse von Präventions- und Distanzierungsprojekten im Umgang mit islamistischer Radikalisierung“ ist im Februar 2021 erschienen und gibt einen Überblick über die Forschungsaktivitäten des Verbunds. MAPEX hat auf der Grundlage einer umfangreichen Befragung von Präventionsprogrammen gegen islamistische Radikalisierung eine neue intelligente und digitale Landkarte von Präventions- und Interventionsprojekten entwickelt und diese anhand von vertiefenden Forschungsfragen analysiert. Im Folgenden geht es also um Fragen der Prävention und Intervention gegen islamistische Radikalisierung und um damit zusammenhängende Möglichkeiten der Deradikalisierungs- bzw. Distanzierungsarbeit. Die Beiträge spiegeln die Befunde und Erkenntnisse aus den Analysen des MAPEX-Forschungsverbunds wider