Animal Organization Studies and the Foundational Economy

Abstract

Abstract This chapter brings animal organization studies into conversation with emerging thinking on the ‘foundational economy’—the goods, services, and infrastructures that support everyday lives, everywhere. To date, foundational economy thinkers have focused on human lives; this chapter considers foundational economic activities that incorporate animal lives, labour, and products. Examples from the agrifood sector (including the dairy industry and rare breed farming) are used to show how human-animal relationships intertwine in shared everyday lives. These examples further reveal the consequences of prioritizing economic value over wellbeing. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future research towards exploring, understanding, and, ultimately, revaluing the foundational economy from a multispecies perspective.