The Limitations of Life-style Strategies: The Ecovillage ‘Movement’ is NOT the Way Towards a New Democratic Society

Abstract

This paper compares and contrasts the life-style strategies (like that of the Global Ecovillage Movement) with the transitional strategy for systemic change proposed by the Inclusive Democracy project. The limitations of life-style strategies, as well as those of direct action, the main example today being the anti-globalisation movement, are discussed. It is argued that the differences in strategies reflect paradigmatic differences, i.e. differences related to the respective analyses of the present situation, as well as differences in goals and means.