University of Twente Student Theses
The utopian vision of a sustainable transition : a critical discourse theoretical perspective on the EUs circular economy discourse after the EU Green Deal
Barnes, C. (2022) The utopian vision of a sustainable transition : a critical discourse theoretical perspective on the EUs circular economy discourse after the EU Green Deal.
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| Abstract: | The Circular Economy is widely promoted as the much-needed paradigm shift or sustainable transition, which is able to solve the multiple global crises of our time, like climate change and increasing resource exploitation, while ensuring economic growth and prosperity for everyone. However, the concept remains rather vague and contested, making it a so-called Empty Signifier, which is at risk of being instrumentalized by hegemonic discourses. As the European Commission entitles itself as the global frontrunner in the promotion of the concept, it is important to understand and critically reflect on the way the EU shapes and influences this policy discourse as a highly influential and powerful actor. Hence, this thesis wants to reveal in which way the Circular Economy discourse by the EU after the EU Green Deal is built on problematizations and what implications this has for the implementation of this sustainable transition, using the “What’s the problem represented to be?” approach by Bacchi (2009). As the analysis showed, the policy discourse is mainly built on ecological modernization, a socio-technical imaginary, the silencing of scientific facts and counter-discourses and an overall high degree of depoliticization, which does not allow for much contestation of the taken-for-granted economic status quo. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 89 political science |
| Programme: | Management Society and Technology BSc (56654) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/91775 |
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