Abstract (eng)
The emergence of the Extinction Rebellion (XR) movement in the UK in late 2018 has given rise to a multitude of local subgroups around the world, calling for action to prevent future environmental and social collapse. As the movement represents a key player in the global climate (justice) movement and continues to grow, further research is needed. This thesis analyses the framing processes and strategies of XR, and shows where (counter-)hegemonic elements can be identified. Given the lack of research on the movement, especially regarding the Austrian context, the qualitative research in this thesis contributed to shed light on different facets of the relatively new movement, with a focus on Austria and the UK. To this end, an empirical analysis was conducted based on expert interviews and documents, which were subsequently categorised using Philipp Mayring’s (2015) qualitative content analysis. This enabled the presentation of the diagnostic framing of XR, including problem identification, perceived 'victims' and culpable actors. The thesis also portrays XR’s key strategies in the context of their prognostic framing, the underlying motivation as well as possible solutions. Seven new motivational frames, most of which were expressed by both the Austrian and British groups, and two frame bridging processes were identified. In addition, the results point to climate justice as the master frame, as both the diagnostic and prognostic framing of the analysed XR cases are dominated by climate justice framing. In some aspects of XR's positioning, strong correspondences with (counter-)hegemonic elements could be found, whereas in others little or none at all. Given the steady growth of XR groups worldwide and the accompanying regional adjustments of positioning and strategies, the movement represents an interesting field for future research.