Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Drudgingly the squirrel feeds itself- Performatively collective action influences oppressive norms: Mixed-Method Study on the Subversion of Oppressive Norms in Activist and Policy Discourse

Bisdorf, Manon LU (2021) SIMV18 20211
Graduate School
Master of Science in Development Studies
Master of Science in Social Studies of Gender
Abstract
Like a squirrel that slowly collects nuts for the winter, this thesis emphasizes the importance of small acts in the collective struggle for a just world. Currently, oppressive norms confine certain ways of being. Therefore, this feminist study addresses means to counteract these norms by analyzing activist discourse in ten environmental conflicts regarding food. Furthermore, I statistically examine the influence of activist discourse on the subversion of oppressive norms in policy discourse. Seemingly small acts of activists are centered in the analysis, since they performatively reinforce and challenge oppressive norms. Focusing on neoliberalism, the results of the analysis underline that not the norm itself is central but its... (More)
Like a squirrel that slowly collects nuts for the winter, this thesis emphasizes the importance of small acts in the collective struggle for a just world. Currently, oppressive norms confine certain ways of being. Therefore, this feminist study addresses means to counteract these norms by analyzing activist discourse in ten environmental conflicts regarding food. Furthermore, I statistically examine the influence of activist discourse on the subversion of oppressive norms in policy discourse. Seemingly small acts of activists are centered in the analysis, since they performatively reinforce and challenge oppressive norms. Focusing on neoliberalism, the results of the analysis underline that not the norm itself is central but its performative presentation. Compared to previous literature, that categorized employing neoliberal discourse as supporting oppressive norms, these results provide a new perspective. While sampling limitations restrict the quantitative analysis correlating activist and policy discourse, the study exceeds boundaries between quantitative methods and discourse analysis. Moreover, with the combination of concepts from discursive psychology and ecofeminist theory I offer two frameworks for the empirical application of Butler's account of performativity. Thus, the study itself aims to take a small step towards a just world by creating knowledge that enhances theoretical and methodological research possibilities. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Bisdorf, Manon LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMV18 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
oppressive norms, collective action, performativity, mixed methods, feminist research
language
English
id
9053289
date added to LUP
2021-06-16 10:33:02
date last changed
2021-06-16 10:33:02
@misc{9053289,
  abstract     = {{Like a squirrel that slowly collects nuts for the winter, this thesis emphasizes the importance of small acts in the collective struggle for a just world. Currently, oppressive norms confine certain ways of being. Therefore, this feminist study addresses means to counteract these norms by analyzing activist discourse in ten environmental conflicts regarding food. Furthermore, I statistically examine the influence of activist discourse on the subversion of oppressive norms in policy discourse. Seemingly small acts of activists are centered in the analysis, since they performatively reinforce and challenge oppressive norms. Focusing on neoliberalism, the results of the analysis underline that not the norm itself is central but its performative presentation. Compared to previous literature, that categorized employing neoliberal discourse as supporting oppressive norms, these results provide a new perspective. While sampling limitations restrict the quantitative analysis correlating activist and policy discourse, the study exceeds boundaries between quantitative methods and discourse analysis. Moreover, with the combination of concepts from discursive psychology and ecofeminist theory I offer two frameworks for the empirical application of Butler's account of performativity. Thus, the study itself aims to take a small step towards a just world by creating knowledge that enhances theoretical and methodological research possibilities.}},
  author       = {{Bisdorf, Manon}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Drudgingly the squirrel feeds itself- Performatively collective action influences oppressive norms: Mixed-Method Study on the Subversion of Oppressive Norms in Activist and Policy Discourse}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}