Growing a commons food regime : theory and practice

• Main Author: Chang, M.
• Published: University College London (University of London) 2013
• Subjects: 363.8
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.626000

Existing food regimes theory has a strong analytical power to help us understand the reality of contemporary global food politics and has a political commitment to provoke a new direction in our thinking. Yet, it falls short on how we can actually engage with such a change, especially with the pressing need for strategic alliances among multiple food movements which aim to advance a regime change. By exploring both theory and practice, this research addresses this gap and responds to a call for a new food regime in the 21st century. Firstly, this research proposes the notion of growing a commons food regime. With care as the core, an integrative framework for growing a commons food regime is presented, drawing on reviews of literature on food regimes theory, commons regimes, adaptive governance and critical food studies. This framework aims at building an adaptive capacity to transform the current food system towards sustainability. Secondly, applying the framework as ‘a tool of insight’, the current landscape of community food initiatives was investigated in order to identify implications and opportunities to grow a commons food regime in London. Finally, considering the significant role of universities in helping to form multiple and reciprocal connections with society; and as a catalyst and an experiment in integrating theory and practice in growing a commons food regime, a journey of university-led community food initiatives was carried out at University College London (UCL) as a case study. On reflection, the thesis suggests ways forward in continuing to grow care-based commons food regimes through community food initiatives at UCL. With our growing adaptive capacity, we might enter a new epoch of history.