| As a response to the ecological crisis and capitalist exploitation of nature, the Zone to Defend (ZAD) movement emerged representing a collective effort to protect agricultural land chosen for airport construction in France from further environmental degradation. The ZAD serves as a form of prefigurative politics and a critique of capitalism through the daily adoption of alternative practices and a critical stance against prevailing socio-ecological norms. This research examines the movement’s evolution from 1972 to 2018 and its legacies after the airport was abandoned. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, I integrate a synthesis of scholarly literature with critical textual analysis of interviews, documentaries, and reflections of activists. This analysis identifies shifts in framing, with the movement initially centered on opposing the airport project before expanding to encompass broader anti-capitalist and environmental concerns. It reveals four main themes of the movement: a culture of resistance, alternative lifestyles, reimagining commons, and social diversity within activists. It also examines the ZAD’s legacy, emphasizing its influence on contemporary social movements and its role as a physical space for experimentation and alternative forms of governance. This study contributes to our understanding of anti-capitalist struggles and activism and its impact in driving societal change. |
