Dachas for Future? : Beispiele aus dem Osten für ein gutes Leben für alle

Degrowth calls for a socio-ecological transformation with sufficiency-oriented lifestyles that would enable a ‘good life for all’. This dissertation is the result of a long exploration of such lifestyles, existing on the margins of capitalism and providing an inspiring example. On the periphery of Europe, Food Self-Provisioning (FSP) at the dacha gardens is a prevalent and vibrant practice that encompasses various characteristics aligning with the ideas of degrowth, while going beyond mere food production. This dissertation unpacks the socio-ecological potential of FSP practice at the eastern Estonian dachas. The underlying hypothesis is that FSP practice makes a valuable – but hitherto unrecognised – socio-ecological contribution to the aspired degrowth transformation. The overall research question of the dissertation is: How and under which conditions can FSP at the dachas contribute to a socio-ecological transformation? The dissertation is built as follows: After literature review I first elaborate on my theoretical positioning, applied decolonial ecofeminist degrowth lens and then discuss my methodological approach, fieldwork and empirical data. I proceed with examining manifold power relations in place that render FSP practices ‘invisible’ and allow for their appropriation. Thereafter, I proceed with the empirical exploration of FSP’s contribution to a socio-ecological transformation and ask whether it can be regarded as a ‘good life.’ Finally, I demonstrate the importance of revaluing the dacha gardeners as subjects of and for a socio-ecological transformation. I conclude discussing the prospects as well as limitations of FSP practice and end with the plea to recognise and cherish FSP practice at the dachas not only as a concrete example of degrowth’s ‘good life for all’, but also as a form of quiet everyday resistance – its daily practice pushes back the neoliberal market logic and allows other languages of valuation centred around care to thrive.