Abstract
If food democracy is about who gets to determine the food that we eat and the character of the underlying food system, then we must examine not only who gets to make decisions that impact on food but also on what evidence, or knowledge, these decisions are made. This article argues that widening the democratic scope of knowledge on which our decisions on food are based is an essential component of food democracy. Food democracies do not just call for citizens to be knowledgeable about the food system but for all stakeholders to actively contribute to the holistic understanding of the food system. Four dimensions of knowledge democracy are set out: The co-production of knowledge with stakeholders; harnessing non-cognitive knowledge represented in arts and culture; knowledge as a tool for action; and the open access and sharing of knowledge. This framework is then used to explore how knowledge is currently already produced and used in a way that enhances food democracy, including through Participatory Action Research with peasant farmers, using the arts to create a ‘contemplative commons’ about food and the unique dialogue process through which the social movement <em>La Vía Campesina</em> operates. Based on these, and other, examples the article concludes that universities, and other recognized centres of knowledge production, need to focus not only on creating new knowledge partnerships but also on finding spaces to challenge and shift accepted ways of knowing in order to better promote food democracy.
Highlights
At the core of food democracy is the idea that people can and should actively participate in shaping the food system (Hassanein, 2003; Welsh & MacRae, 1998)
At the core of food democracy is a criticism of the dominant role of large corporations play in food and the idea that all people should have the power to help shape the food system (Hassanein, 2003; Norwood, 2015)
Viewing the food system through the lens of knowledge democracy, this article argues that do citizens need access to knowledge in order to make decisions about the agrofood system but they must be able to inform and shape what is considered relevant knowledge for decision making
Summary
At the core of food democracy is the idea that people can and should actively participate in shaping the food system (Hassanein, 2003; Welsh & MacRae, 1998). From the point of view of food democracy, embracing a plurality of perspectives by, for example, opening up the process of ‘doing science’ and by bringing consumers closer to the producers of the food that they eat, is a moral imperative to include subaltern forms of knowledge into decision making It is, a practical necessity as it ensures the production of holistic and pluralistic knowledge that is better able to address complex problems, such as food insecurity that cut across a number of economic sectors, levels of governance as well as involve a wide array of actors both inside and outside of government (Nowotny, Scott, & Gibbons, 2001; Pereira & Ruysenaar, 2012). Concluding section the role that universities and other recognized sites of knowledge production could play in further encouraging food democracy through deepening knowledge democracy is discussed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
