Challenges of Sustainable Consumption: Voluntary Simplicity as a Social Movement
Challenges of Sustainable Consumption: Voluntary Simplicity as a Social Movement

Summary/Abstract: The main purpose of this paper is to characterise Voluntary Simplicity Movement (VSM) and to describe chosen initiatives that can be perceived as its manifestation. To attain these goals we use secondary sources of information: literature and web sites. As the research methods we apply critical analysis of gathered materials and case studies that reflect the practical manifestations of VSM both abroad and in Poland. Our analyses show that initially voluntary simplicity (VS) was associated mainly with religious extremism of small communities living in isolation from the rest of the society, but over the years it gained also ecological, social and economic dimensions. Although the adoption of simple lifestyle still remains a considerable challenge (since it requires the voluntary limitation of one’s consumption and a far-reaching self-restraint), and this fact is a significant limitation of VSM development, according to our findings there are certain initiatives that can be seen as its manifestations. The main practical as well as social implication of our paper is the conclusion that the Internet seems to be a convenient tool of disseminating simplicity rules and reinforcing VSM.

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