Author ORCID Identifier

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-0999-4523

Degree Year

2023

Document Type

Thesis - Oberlin Community Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Politics

Advisor(s)

Amanda Zadorian

Committee Member(s)

Marc Blecher
Carrie Andrew

Keywords

Ecology, Organizing, Environment, Mycology, Radical

Abstract

The rapid progression of the global climate crisis has been concerning for many. To date, no movement has arisen that has been able to bring an end to the ecological devastation present in most, if not all, environments on Earth. The primary question this project addresses is, what would a successful ecological movement look like? This essay attempts to draw from the theories of social ecology and radical mycology to develop a theory of “fungal organizing.” The role of fungi as organizers of the global ecosystem sets them apart from other species in their ability to serve as a model for complex social organizing. Using decolonial methodology, this paper defines the structural and practical lessons fungi teach about ecological organizing. I examine four case studies to evaluate the efficacy and indivisibility of the fungal model. By evaluating the successes and failures of these social movements — Covid-19 reduction work in China, housing occupation in São Paulo, Brazil, abortion dual power organizing in the US, and ecological liberation struggles in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria — I provide evidence to the effectiveness of fungal organizing and the limitations of failing to follow the model in its entirety.

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