Lifestyles
The Politics of Alternative Lifestyles
Publisher: Institute for Saskatchewan Studies, Canada
Year Published: 1977
Pages: 12pp Resource Type: Serial Publication (Periodical)
Cx Number: CX413
This newsletter deals with the questions and issues involved in considering an alternative lifestyle as an option for social change
Abstract:
This newsletter deals with the questions and issues involved in considering an alternative lifestyle as an option for social change. The dangers of the lifestyle question are identified as primarily originating in an individualistic decision to withdraw from the harsh realities of our society to a utopian, and romantic past or future. On the other hand, the choice in manners of living are severely inhibited by a market economy, which has consumerism as its major objective. Thus both the rural and urban ways of life are determined by 1) the drive for productivity, 2) the drive toward higher income, and 3) the drive for mechanizations. Any consideration of life-style is seen as having to take into account and to challenge the power structures, while, at the same time, working to enable the powerless. Such an approach requires a high level of political activity within the community and this, the article stresses, has to take the form of concretized support. By "concretizing support" is meant that people not only live together but that they give each other support through making collective decisions and sharing their resources.
The personal aspects, historical perspective, issues of food, and land use as related to alternative lifestyles are dealt with as well. One article looks at life style as a means of consciously creating models in order to teach by example. The question is also presented in debate form to look at the pros and cons of which has been most effective in creating a new social order: alternative lifestyles or revolution.
Periodical profile published 1977
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