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Reformism and radicalism in the Climate Camp in Britain: Benign coexistence, tensions and prospects for bridging

Reformism and radicalism in the Climate Camp in Britain: Benign coexistence, tensions and prospects for bridging
Reformism and radicalism in the Climate Camp in Britain: Benign coexistence, tensions and prospects for bridging
Using data from in-depth interviews of Climate Campers attending the Kingsnorth 2008 Camp, participant observation and documents written by participants, this article illustrates the tension that developed between reformists and radicals within the Climate Camp in Britain. It finds that, contrary to surface appearances and expectations gleaned from previous studies of environmental direct action groups, Climate Campers do not share a radical approach. The consequent drift towards reformism has caused tension and has undoubtedly contributed to the demise of Climate Camp as a national network. One way to avoid future tension might be for all participants to recognise the value of a multi-pronged approach to solving climate change. Allowing the Camp to act as a bridging organisation would reduce potential for fragmentation and collapse.
climate camps, radicalism, reformism, coalitions, environmental movement
0964-4016
Saunders, Clare
c1478ea2-16d7-4fac-856d-516c97e4d5eb
Saunders, Clare
c1478ea2-16d7-4fac-856d-516c97e4d5eb

Saunders, Clare (2012) Reformism and radicalism in the Climate Camp in Britain: Benign coexistence, tensions and prospects for bridging. Environmental Politics. (In Press)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Using data from in-depth interviews of Climate Campers attending the Kingsnorth 2008 Camp, participant observation and documents written by participants, this article illustrates the tension that developed between reformists and radicals within the Climate Camp in Britain. It finds that, contrary to surface appearances and expectations gleaned from previous studies of environmental direct action groups, Climate Campers do not share a radical approach. The consequent drift towards reformism has caused tension and has undoubtedly contributed to the demise of Climate Camp as a national network. One way to avoid future tension might be for all participants to recognise the value of a multi-pronged approach to solving climate change. Allowing the Camp to act as a bridging organisation would reduce potential for fragmentation and collapse.

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Climate_Camp-_Sauders,_final_edited_accepted_version_-_JB_CS].doc - Author's Original
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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 2012
Keywords: climate camps, radicalism, reformism, coalitions, environmental movement
Organisations: Politics & International Relations

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 207255
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/207255
ISSN: 0964-4016
PURE UUID: ad812963-10f5-406c-982f-a66636adf10e

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 09 Jan 2012 16:44
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 04:39

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Contributors

Author: Clare Saunders

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