Political ecologies of leisure: a critical approach to nature-society relations in leisure studies (original) (raw)

Becoming Political: An Expanding Role for Critical Leisure Studies

This article explores the intersection of politics and leisure, pointing to the fact that power has always been present in leisure activities, settings, practices, and institutions. In noting some of the past contributions of leisure scholarship, it also highlights a need for increasingly political leisure research, where knowledge production, epistemologies, and methodologies help unpack multiple critical leisures. Using engagements with Foucauldian biopolitics, political ecology, and radical political thought, this article sets the stage for the eight manuscripts that engage with critical components of political dimensions of leisure. In light of the pressing catastrophes of our time, we contend that scholars and educators can and should be engaged in building a more critically diverse and intellectually productive academy.

Critical engagements with nature: tourism, political economy of nature and political ecology

This paper aims to follow on from prior critical engagements with nature to provide a basis for further discussions of society-nature relationships. Tourism is often dependent on nature for consumption via the production of tourist experiences and is thus an important economic activity in the interplay between societies and nature in tourism/leisure. Both political economy and political ecology are suitable approaches for a critical engagement with nature. A political economy of nature is concerned with issues of relative power of social actors vis-à-vis nature and how they produce socio-natural environments, whereas political ecology adds a post-structural dimension by deconstructing society-nature relations and highlighting both discursive and material elements and create exclusive or inclusive spaces of socio-natural relationships. The aim is therefore to provide a critical analysis of the complex society-nature relationships in order to contribute to ongoing critical discussion.

Leisure as an object of governance.docx

Leisure/Loisir, 2019

[First version - revisions submitted and accepted: Due for publication towards the end of 2019] Leisure as an object of governance in UK election manifestos, 1945 to 1983 For most working people, the decade following the Second World War saw a substantial change in the amount of leisure time they had available and in how that time could be accessed. Prior to the cessation of hostilities periods of extended leave had been few and, for the majority, determined by employers, who would stipulate when the small amount of holiday time available could be taken. The dominant model was that of factory closure, in whole or part, and large groups of workers taking their annual leave together, on works trips that were frequently organised by their employers. During the 1950s the amount of paid leave that could be taken had risen substantially. There was greater freedom to both select when leave could be taken and for that selection to be on an individual basis. That, coupled with a relative increase in basic disposable income for many working people, average earning increased by around 40% between 1950 and 1965, resulted in a growing demand for leisure resources. It is in this period that we also find the political parties vying for power at general elections begin to address leisure as a legitimate area of governmental policy. Using a lexical frequency analysis to locate instances where leisure and recreation are discussed, in combination with historical contextualisation of the imaginary of leisure articulated in the text, this paper will consider how leisure was construed as an object of governance in election manifestos by the Conservative and Labour) parties between 1945 and 1983. The period between 1951 and 1964 saw a growth in interest, from both parties, in addressing leisure and recreation as an object of governmental policy; however, since then, its place on the political agenda has been more turbulent and partisan. From 1974 to 1983 it was the Labour party that maintained an interest in developing leisure policy as part of its electoral agenda, whilst moving away from an orientation that required substantial governmental intervention. In conclusion, this paper will reflect on the additional insights into the imaginary of leisure as an object of governmental policy afforded by the lexical analysis of text. Keywords: Leisure Policy; Elections; Manifestos; Lexical analysis; the Imaginary of leisure. [NB: I will be uploading the tables etc. in the teaching documents folder]

Consuming Leisure not so Leisurely: Political Economy of Leisure and Desire

2018

The paper examines the contemporary contours of leisure through an inclusive parameter by exploring the ‘frontiers’ of leisure that signifies the fluidity of leisure practices. Mapping the chaotic Indian leisure landscape through the theoretical framework of political economy of leisure and desire, and leisure as an object of desire, the paper raises the question of consumption and the ownership of what one consumes within the social class locations. These concerns are explicated through an examination of political economy of leisure and desire; consumption of leisure; colonialism, elite, subaltern and leisure; post-colonial entangled contexts; two case studies on subaltern and leisure; and consuming desirable ‘leisure for religion’ unleisurely by exploring the social landscape under perceived/real religio-communal siege-like situation with reference to the controversial Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik; and the question of Halal meat.

Eco-Leisure: Theory and Practice

Ron, A., Shani, A. and Uriely, N. (2008), Eco-Leisure: Theory and Practice, Leisure/Loisir: Journal of the Canadian Association for Leisure Studies, Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 47-64.

This article looks at the phenomenon of eco-leisure, both in theory and in practice. A distinction is made between eco-leisure and ecotourism, and it is suggested that the academia needs to pay more attention to ecologically oriented leisure activities. The paper presents examples of eco-leisure practice and suggests a working definition of this new term. An explanation of the term is provided by elaborating on three of the pivotal aspects of this phenomenon: the urban-rural context, the sociological aspects, and the environmental aspects. The review of these aspects illustrates how eco-leisure can contribute to the understanding of modern urban life and its leisure component. In addition to the theoretical contribution of introducing the term and its meanings, eco-leisure has a high potential for managerial and practical implications, especially the improvement of life quality in the urban environment including the reduction of the tensions and stress of contemporary urban reality. Keywords. eco-leisure, ecotourism, environment, allotments, backyard birding Résumé Cet article examine le phénomène de l’éco-loisirs, par une approche théorique et pratique. Une distinction est faite entre l’éco-loisirs et l’écotourisme, et nous suggérons que les milieux universitaires doivent prêter beaucoup plus d’attention aux loisirs ayant lieux dans des environnements naturels. Le papier présente des exemples d’éco-loisirs et suggère une définition fonctionnelle de ce nouveau terme. Une explication du terme est fournie par l’élaboration sur trois aspects centraux de ce phénomène : le contexte urbain et rural, les aspects sociologiques, et les aspects écologiques. L’examen de chacun de ces aspects illustre comment l’éco-loisir peut contribuer à une vie urbaine saine. En plus de la contribution théorique de ce terme, l’éco-loisir a des implications estionnaires et pratiques, particulièrement en ce qui concerne l’amélioration de la qualité de la vie dans un milieu urbain et la réduction du stress. Mots-clefs. éco-loisirs, écotourisme, environnement, répartition, l’ornithologie et les arrière-cours.

Echoes of Leisure: Questions, Challenges, and Potentials

Journal of Leisure Research, 2000

Gregorian calendars, love of linear and progressive forms, Christian beliefs, and fascination with "new" beginnings all intermix to form the concept of millenium. Calendars emerging from Tibetan, Islamic, Hawaiian, Mayan, and other traditions mark no day of celebration or sorrow for January 1, 2000 (and whether this is the first day of the new millenium is still contested). Without conscious attention to the plurality of calendars, concepts of time, historical events, and holidays, it is tempting to view the millenium as an "inevitable given," a reality, a natural occurrence. As any good leisure scholar understands, the millenium provides a wonderful excuse for celebration, contemplation, and play. However, thoughtful attention to plurality, opens new possibilities and engenders other concerns and questions. How do we, in both large and small ways, render invisible other views while celebrating one, albeit dominant, perspective? How do we become accountable for validating and giving support to a single interpretation of reality? Can leisure become focused on fulfillment and re-figuring social bodies/ minds/ souls? Can leisure become inevitably tied to notions of collaborative interpretations rather than predominant and increasingly individual, subjective conscience? I am particularly concerned about creating ethical, meaningful leisure in a paradoxical world of plurality and commonality. How do we, as leisure scholars and practitioners, connected to, or reinforcing, dominant structures and processes, maintain and honor the presence, values, and critiques of alternative perspectives? What leisure praxis will enable "games of truth and power" to be practiced with minimal domination and maximal freedom? How can we transfigure our relationship to powers and knowledges that render us calculable and entangled in harm to others? Seemingly innocent millenium celebrations provide resonance with profound conflicts related to power, dominant structures, and alternative perspectives of leisure. The definitions, parameters, and actions related to leisure are constructed and molded by invisible forces related to cultural dynamics, power relations, collective processes, and societal frameworks. It is no accident, therefore, that freedom and individual perspectives and behaviour are essential features of leisure praxis