ICS Working Paper Nº1/2018

ICS W O R K I N G P A P E R S 2018 9 Figure 1 - Framing the Alternative adapted from Retolaza (2011: 7) (cf. Mourato et al. 2018: 98) We argue that the cornerstone of a consequential societal value change springs from the structural interconnectedness between the subject, individually or within a collective, and its surrounding political and social environments (e.g. the vegetarian association actively engages with its surrounding via public activism, campaigning and eventually extending to political lobbying). The latter may trigger a structural shift if it evolves at an inter-objective dimension, to secure the institutionalization of change (e.g. the vegetarian association lobbies successfully the necessary policy and institutional changes and as a result, vegetarian meal choices are integrated in public canteens). A structural shift at the inter-objective dimension influences state action or the dominant system logic via both constitutional and legal frameworks and subsequent policies and polity. It has to be mentioned that the framework also allows to explore the recursive influence between the external social context (development models, governance, politics and social movements) and the inherent processes of value change. As an example, one could inquire into how the collective (social movements) can influence the subjective dimension of change.