Circular Economy in the Context of "Development"

Bc. Sara ZIMMERMANN

Master's thesis

From win-win-win towards social justice implications: A policy discourse analysis accompanied by a case study

Abstract:

Since the new Circular Economy Action Plan of the European Union 2020, the concept of Circular Economy (CE) has become increasingly relevant in the European-African "development" apparatus. Building on critical literature concerning both, CE and the "development" apparatus, this thesis examines the current CE policy discourse between Africa and the EU. Additionally, a case study explores a CE "development" project and its possible implications. The results show that the discourse is largely in-line with the previously characterized "development" discourse, being a-political, technological-focused and standardising/homogenising. The case study results in three themes: (i) the dumping narrative; (ii) multi-level governance and (iii) cherry-picking as problem construction. Integrating the results and existing literature, this paper demonstrates possible social justice implications, such as enhancing distributional injustice through disregarding certain risks/costs. Overall, the results show the importance, multiplicity and interconnectedness of social justice dimensions for CE within the "development" apparatus.

Abstract:

Since the new Circular Economy Action Plan of the European Union 2020, the concept of Circular Economy (CE) has become increasingly relevant in the European-African "development" apparatus. Building on critical literature concerning both, CE and the "development" apparatus, this thesis examines the current CE policy discourse between Africa and the EU. Additionally, a case study explores a CE "development" project and its possible implications. The results show that the discourse is largely in-line with the previously characterized "development" discourse, being a-political, technological-focused and standardising/homogenising. The case study results in three themes: (i) the dumping narrative; (ii) multi-level governance and (iii) cherry-picking as problem construction. Integrating the results and existing literature, this paper demonstrates possible social justice implications, such as enhancing distributional injustice through disregarding certain risks/costs. Overall, the results show the importance, multiplicity and interconnectedness of social justice dimensions for CE within the "development" apparatus.

Keywords

Circular Economy, Development Apparatus, African-European Cooperation, Policy Discourse, Case Study

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 5. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Miroslav Syrovátka, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Science

Master programme / field:
Global Development Policy / Global Development Policy