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‘Can we talk about redesigning the fashion system without challenging capitalism itself?’ A Critical Discourse Analysis of Circular Economy in the Fashion Industry

Siepenkort, Cara LU (2021) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20211
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and has significant sustainability problems. To reduce those, a shift towards a Circular Economy is promoted as a holistic approach to system change. In order to show how the discourse, as opposed to this claim, reproduces the dominant structures of the fashion industry, a Critical Discourse Analysis is applied. Taking a political ecology approach, the analysis reveals how the discourse depoliticises social and environmental struggles, proposes technological solutions that should allow for business-as-usual, and is influenced by corporate interests. By reflecting the ideology of ecological modernisation, the discourse conceals core problems of the industry and deepens the... (More)
The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and has significant sustainability problems. To reduce those, a shift towards a Circular Economy is promoted as a holistic approach to system change. In order to show how the discourse, as opposed to this claim, reproduces the dominant structures of the fashion industry, a Critical Discourse Analysis is applied. Taking a political ecology approach, the analysis reveals how the discourse depoliticises social and environmental struggles, proposes technological solutions that should allow for business-as-usual, and is influenced by corporate interests. By reflecting the ideology of ecological modernisation, the discourse conceals core problems of the industry and deepens the hegemony of capitalism. The prevalent unequal power relations, as well as the growth-driven dynamics of production and consumption in the industry, are therefore reproduced. To redesign the fashion system, we do not only need to challenge capitalism but to fundamentally transform the economic system. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Siepenkort, Cara LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Fashion Industry, Circular Economy, Sustainability Science, Critical Discourse Analysis, Political Ecology
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2021:014
language
English
id
9047836
date added to LUP
2021-06-02 07:47:43
date last changed
2021-06-02 07:47:43
@misc{9047836,
  abstract     = {{The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions and has significant sustainability problems. To reduce those, a shift towards a Circular Economy is promoted as a holistic approach to system change. In order to show how the discourse, as opposed to this claim, reproduces the dominant structures of the fashion industry, a Critical Discourse Analysis is applied. Taking a political ecology approach, the analysis reveals how the discourse depoliticises social and environmental struggles, proposes technological solutions that should allow for business-as-usual, and is influenced by corporate interests. By reflecting the ideology of ecological modernisation, the discourse conceals core problems of the industry and deepens the hegemony of capitalism. The prevalent unequal power relations, as well as the growth-driven dynamics of production and consumption in the industry, are therefore reproduced. To redesign the fashion system, we do not only need to challenge capitalism but to fundamentally transform the economic system.}},
  author       = {{Siepenkort, Cara}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{‘Can we talk about redesigning the fashion system without challenging capitalism itself?’ A Critical Discourse Analysis of Circular Economy in the Fashion Industry}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}