ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at individual agency and at how people, as change agents, may empower themselves in the societal transformation to a good life beyond growth. The motivation behind such agency is important in this transformation process. The chapter establishes links to a most prominent model of human development as well as to collective action and environmental psychology. Freedom to live a valuable life being the central goal of the Capability Approach points to the central issue of transformative policies. Many movements towards a good life beyond growth agree that societal transitions also require individual change, comprising of behaviour change and of change of world views, values, and deep-rooted beliefs, when conceived of as a self-empowerment to live a good life. Nonviolent communication (NVC) can be understood as a tool for worldview change as well as for social change. It aims to support individuals to adopt non-violence as a general attitude towards themselves as well as towards others.
