Experimental Utopias and Social Change: Examples from

Australian Non- Hegemonic Activism

Dr Theresa Petray, James Cook UniversityDr Nick Pendergrast, Deakin University

Background• Social movement studies:• Traditionally recognised distinction between integrationism & radicalism

• Integrationism: social movements which seek small, incremental changes to the existing social structures• Antisystemic: social movements which seek to replace the existing system

entirely

• Both are still oriented towards power holders like states

Background• Non-hegemonic: movements which are not directed at power

structures • Do not seek universal or totalizing change• Create alternatives to the existing structures instead of replacing or reforming

the existing structure

• Small-scale experiments in alternative societies (Wallerstein 2002)• Refusal of universalization as a concept (Day 2004, Coulthard 2014)• Co-exist with structures, but eventually ‘render them redundant’ (Graeber

2004)

Theoretical Framework

Constitutional Recognition• Integrationist – inclusion of Aboriginal & Torres Strait

Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution.• A chance to begin correcting past injustices• Good for health & wellbeing of Indigenous & non-Indigenous

Australians

• Antisystemic – treaties with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander nations.• Do not want to be part of a Constitution based on racism &

dispossession• An act of refusal which posits sovereignty of Indigenous

nations

Non-hegemonic –

• ‘Certainly Constitutional recognition doesn’t mean much to people taking action to emancipate themselves from Australian laws’ (Liddle 2014).

• Creating spaces where self-determination can be exercised• (Not necessarily opposed to Constitutional

Recognition or Treaties)• Not about replacing an Australia-wide power

structure: culturally specific• Examples: Gugu Badhun Research Institute,

decision-making about potential dam

Self-determination & Nation-building

Live Export• Integrationist – chilled meat in place of live

animals.• 69% of Australians support the campaign.• Animal welfare, humane slaughter (93% of Australians

support).

• Anti-systemic – direct action. • 2003: Ralph Hahnheuser placed processed pig flesh

into the feed of sheep bound for the Middle East = not Halal.

• Crossover between integrationist and anti-systemic activism.

• ALF - activists pose more of a threat to the financial and physical well-being of its targets than other approaches.

Non-Hegemonic – Vegan Advocacy• Reject all slaughter, create

alternatives.• Withdrawing rather than

challenging = less of a threat than direct action, even welfare reforms.• Vegans challenge these industries

by rendering them redundant on an individual level, and imaging a society where they are no longer needed or desired.

Conclusions• Diversity of approaches = strong social

movements• Non-hegemonic experimental alternatives

can provide meaningful examples of change• Non-hegemonic approaches might be

incremental, and might seem similar to integrationist approaches, but closer analysis reveals a difference based on orientation to power structures