Hverdagslivets kritik – Økosamfund i Danmark

the social homogeneity of the ecovillages. In sum, the way meetings are held in
ecovillages supports parts of their vision (cohesion and consensus), but undermines
other parts (social diversity).
Chapter seven deals with parents’ expectations of family life in the ecovillages.
Based on interviews with parents of young children the chapter shows
that ecovillages are seen as a protective frame for the family. In contrast to the
view of the family as inherently problematical held by the commune movement
in the seventies, today’s potential ecovillagers perceive the family as immensely
valuable and rather fragile and in need of support. The chapter argues
that this should be understood in the light of broad changes in the role of the
family within Danish society.
Chapter eight analyses ecovillages as conscious attempts to build social capital.
Based on survey data, four scales measuring different aspects of social capital
are constructed and analysed. The analyses show ecovillages to possess large
amounts of internal social capital but rather weak ties to their immediate
neighbours.
Chapter nine summarizes the results of the analyses and discusses the overall
critical potential of the ecovillages in the light of what has been learned. It is
argued that ecovillages are a valuable lifestyle option for some but cannot live
up to the ecovillage movement’s proclaimed goal of being a model for society
as a whole.
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