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), but simply to usefully trace pieces of political thought and influence. It is, therefore, with no apology that this book chooses to title its conclusion after Thoreau and indeed to base its concluding vision on his. Less so Walden, but certainly Wild Fruits, provide the beginnings of a blueprint for de-growth society. Thoreau insists upon collectivity for the sake of the collective, rather than as part of a market system. This is seen in his response to the Brook Farm experiment, and can be usefully related to current discourses on de-growth that promote simply
, the significance of Thoreau’s social and political thoughts lies precisely in his seeing a relationship between self-reform in individuals and wider social justice and political democracy (2008:37). Therefore, accusations that his primary concern was not for society but for the individual can be more usefully viewed within the context of his concern regarding the relationship between the individual and the State. It is within this context that his view on social reform being mainly realised through individual self-reform ought to be assessed. Still the best
treatment and regarding it as something to be removed, but developments in political science have changed this understanding. Gramsci ( 1971 ) introduced the concept of ideological hegemony (Freeden 2003 ). He had a broader conceptualisation of ideology that goes beyond belief in a system of ideas and introduces social practice (e.g., encompassing experiences, rituals, routines). Ideology in Gramsci is a mode of political thought
’, Public Culture 21 , no. 1 ( 2009 ): 21 – 41 ; Randy Martin , Financialization of Daily Life ( Philadelphia, PA : Temple University Press , 2002 ); and Nikolas Rose , Powers of Freedom: Reframing Political Thought ( Cambridge : Cambridge University Press , 1999