The Changing Social Politics of Meat: a systems psychodynamic exploration of the complex dynamics surrounding behaviour and conversations about the treatment of animals and meat eating

Using a systems psychodynamic approach, this thesis explores the social defences and complex dynamics (conscious and unconscious) surrounding behaviour and conversations about the treatment of animals and meat eating. It is an exploration of the ‘social politics of meat’, in other words, what people talk about, and don’t talk about, with regards to the eating of animals. A major intent behind the research is to raise awareness and encourage discussions about the current plight of farmed animals, particularly those within industrial agriculture, i.e. factory farms, in Western, developed countries. Within the field of anthrozoology, much research has been done on how humans relate and interact with animals, but to date there has been little study into how people relate to one another, about the eating of animals. Taking a wide interdisciplinary approach, the thesis integrates the fields of systems psychodynamics and anthrozoology and presents many parallels between the two. Using the systems psychodynamics research methods of auto- ethnographic stories, socio-analytic interviewing, socio-analytic drawing and focus group discussions, as well as background knowledge from the discipline of anthrozoology, the research explores the core question: what are the current social politics of meat in Australia, as representative of Western, developed countries? The thesis also narrates the journey of the researcher as she explores the core question, stumbles through the ethical minefield of asking others to help her explore discomforting topics, and ‘lives’ the research. Constantly questioning herself, her views, feelings, power and influence is a key part of the work. Three hypotheses are presented on the issue. The first suggests a collective social dynamic coined by the researcher as ‘meat-eating fragility’. A second discusses the entwined systemic influences which all encourage and promote the eating of animals, creating an almost impenetrable barrier to change. The third suggests that the phenomenon of meat- eating fragility is both a defence against change, and a sign of change, as is the small group of outliers challenging the dominant invisible ideology of carnism. This thesis explores and challenges hidden paradigms, worldviews and values around the eating of meat. The exploration uncovers collective denial, dissociation, and collusion about the plight of farmed animals in Western, developed nations. Nonetheless, the final hypothesis and suggestions for further research are both optimistic and hopeful.