Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The concept of “prefigurative politics” invites geographers to envision transformative change through a shift in practices stemming from a micro level. This article examines and substantiates how this idea is mobilised in relation to current sustainability transformations. A large interdisciplinary group of geographers and transition scholars present topic clusters of prefigurative enablers that instigate and catalyse the enactment of transformative policymaking towards sustainable futures. Drawing on dozens of rich and diverse examples to illustrate cases of transformation, we provide a conceptual perspective to advance the theoretical discussion about triggers and processes of transformative change amongst geographers. We argue for three principles for examining the prefigurative politics of present transformation: (a) multi-scalarity, to consider prefigurative politics across personal-systemic spheres; (b) boundary transgression, to span interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary as well as inward- and outward-looking prefigurative politics; and (c) temporalities, to address institutionalisation and change processes that play out along short and long timelines. Approaching present transformations through a prefigurative politics lens helps identify scope for action that aligns with transformative change. We argue for wider deployment of these principles, to synthesise scholarship, channel micro-level prefigurative political efforts into systemic transformative change, and guide future research and policymaking towards sustainability transformations.
Authors: Siddharth Sareen, Sirkku Juhola, Adrianna Czarnecka, Aleksandra Kekkonen, Aleksandra Martinovska Stojcheska, Ana Slavec, Anita Uchanska-Bieniusiewicz, Chris Rønningstad, Claudiu Martin, Gintarė Tamašauskaitė-Janickė, Helena Belchior Rocha, Jan Kunnas, Maria Luísa Vasconcelos, Maraja Riechers, Martin H. G. Prechtl, Monika Piotrkowska, Nigar Alkan, Nimet Kalkan, Nurinisa Esenbuga, Rocío Pineda-Martos, Sandra Bernardo, Sarah Milliken, Şehnaz Okkiran, Sevinç Gelmez Burakgazi, Timo Von Wirth, Tuba Aydın Güngör, Veronika Kiss
Institutions: Fridtjof Nansen Institute, University of Bergen, University of Helsinki, Warsaw University of Technology, Estonian Business School, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, University of Primorska, Kozminski University, OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Vilnius University, Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, University of Eastern Finland, Fernando Pessoa University, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, University of Lisbon, Instituto Superior Técnico, Karadeniz Technical University, Atatürk University, Universidad de Sevilla, University of Greenwich, Gaziantep University, University College London, Hacettepe University, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Artvin Coruh University, Corvinus University of Budapest
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7155393945