Title: Moving on – European organic farming movements between political action and self-reflection

Authors: Heidrun Moschitz

Addresses: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Ackerstrasse, 5070 Frick, Switzerland

Abstract: Organic farming movements in Europe are widely recognised as a positive force by market actors and civil society, as well as relevant actors in policy networks. At the same time, the organic movement is in a process of self-reflection, reconsidering its value basis. Taking account of both a policy network and a social movement perspective, this article seeks to understand political action of the organic sector. Making use of a cross-country comparison of European organic farming policy networks, it conceptualises the consequences of such action with regard to political influence and the identity of the organic farming movement. While different strategies are employed to influence politics, a space needs to be opened up within the movements for continuous innovation and the re-construction of a collective identity.

Keywords: social movement; organic farming; institutionalisation; policy networks; cross-country comparison; Europe; political action; political influence; politics; continuous innovation; collective identity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2009.032641

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2009 Vol.8 No.5/6, pp.371 - 387

Received: 19 Nov 2008
Accepted: 07 Oct 2009
Published online: 09 Apr 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article