The structure of this thesis

This thesis is structured in four fundamental phases - A to D. Each of the phases is anchored in one chapter of this thesis - Chapters 3 to 7 - and is crystalized by a corresponding academic contribution, which has resulted in three peer-reviewed pub-lications. Phase A aims to answer the first research question stated above, phase B the second research question, and phase C the third research question. In contrast, phase D ultimately brings it all together, aims at answering the final research question and test the initial hypothesis. Figure 2 below graphically summarizes the general struc-ture of the thesis with its four phases.

Figure 2 - General structure of the thesis

In the first two phases, representing the first two years of the research, the pri-mary focus was on understanding and systematizing the connections between mone-tary design and societal impact. On the one hand, this was done by analyzing the cri-tiques of the IMS in the literature and distilling the intrinsic degenerative design ele-ments and socio-ecological detrimental processes (phase A/chapter 3). On the other hand, scanning, collecting, and analyzing alternative monetary experiments and the-ories (phase B/chapter 4). While in phase A the priority was given to the theoretical dimensions, phase B mainly was about grounding it in empirical evidence and real case studies. Phases A and B run parallel to each other and are the foundations that give the baseline for the assumptions that have already been stated.

In the third phase (C), developed until 2020, the core focus was to understand and envision a systemic transition within the monetary system. Based on the under-standings from phase A and the scanning from phase B, phase C aims to systematize the ongoing innovations and transformations within the monetary regime, identify potential leverage points, and bring transition theory to monetary systems. Phase C corresponds to chapter 5.

The fourth and final phase of this research (D) is where all the previous pieces come together and are distilled in order to envision a regenerative monetary ecosys-tem, based on the conclusions of A and C, as well as the experiences and concrete empirical results mapped in phase B. Phase D correspondents to chapters 6 and 7.

1.4.1 Academic contributions

This is a thesis anchored in peer-reviewed published journal articles that form the backbone of the research, particularly in chapters 4, 5 and 6.

The first academic contribution in this thesis is a conference paper, submitted to, and later presented and dicussed at the Ecological Challenges Conference in Oslo, Norway (Alves, 2017). This conference paper aimed at advancing the hypothesis of a growth imperative within our monetary system and by doing so placing the necessary transformation of money as a priority for the Degrowth, Steady-state and ecological movement. The paper is presented in sub-chapter 3.2.4, and a critical update to its arguments in the following section.

The second academic contribution within this thesis is a journal article published in the International Journal of Community Currency Research, in 2018 (Alves, 2018). This was a literature review article of all IJCCR publications from 2009 to 2016, presented and discussed at the Ramics Biennal 2017 conference in Barcelona.

The paper was later submitted to the IJCCR and published with minor revisions in its volume 22. This paper is an important piece of chapter 4 due to the heterogeneity and vastness of monetary experiments and theories that I was confronted with during the review of these publications.

The third academic contribution is a journal article published in the Journal of Studies in Citizenship and Sustainability, in 2019 (Alves, Kovasna & Penha-Lopes, 2019). This article, with co-authors Gil Penha-Lopes from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and Anna Kovasna from the Global Ecovillage Network, represents a groundbreaking contribution to the understanding of the ongoing monetary revolution by applying Multi-Level Perspective and Transition Management theory to monetary systems. It aims to provide insights and answers to

Finally, the fourth academic contribution is a journal article, published in 2022 in the journal Sustainability. It is chapter 6 and it represents the epitome of this thesis and its research. It brings together all previous phases and understandings under one publication (Alves, Santos, & Penha-Lopes, 2022).

A final note regarding the structure of the thesis and the integration of these contributions: I've kept the original formatting of each paper, respecting each journal requirements and templates. Updates or improvements are highlighted and summa-rized under each publication, in a separate section. All other content which is not a part of an academic contribution is referenced independently chapter-by-chapter.

Table 1 below shows the connections between each phase's research question, the corresponding thesis chapter, and the related academic contribution.

Table 1 - Overall connection between the vital elements of this thesis

References

Alves, F.M.; Santos, R.; Penha-Lopes, G. (2017) Monetary transformation: a priority for sustainability.

Ecological Challenges Conference. Oslo, Norway

Alves, F. M., Kovasna, A., & Penha-Lopes, G. (2019) Alternative monetary narratives and experiments – systematizing the necessary societal transition. Journal of Studies on Citizenship and Sustainability. Vol 4, pp. 76-94. ISSN: 2183-7252

Alves, Filipe M. and Santos, Rui F. (2018) IJCCR Publications - a literature review 2010-2016’.

International Journal of Community Currency Research. Vol. 22 (Summer), 4-15

Alves, F.M.; Santos, R.; Penha-Lopes, G. (2022) Revisiting the Missing Link: An Ecological Theory of Money for a Regenerative Economy. Sustainability. Vol.14, 4309.

Davies, G. (2002). A History of Money: From Ancient Times to the Present Day. University of Wales Press.

Egmond, N.D. van and de Vries, H.J.M. (2011). Sustainability: The search for the integral worldview. Futures, vol. 43, pp. 853-867

Ferguson, N. (2008). The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World. Penguin Books.

Floyd, Joshua and Zubevich, Kipling (2010). Linking foresight and sustainability: An integral approach.

Futures, vol.42, pp. 59-68

Galbraith, K. J. (1975). Money: Whence it Came, Where it Went. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Gibbons, L. (2020). Regenerative—The New Sustainable? Sustainability, 12.

Graeber, D. (2011). Debt: The First 5,000 years. N.Y.: Melville House.

Lietaer, B., Arnsperger, C., Goerner, S., & Brunnhuber, S. (2012). Money and Sustainability—The Missing Link. Bridport: Triarchy Press.

Meadows, D. (1999). Leverage Points—Places to Intervene in a System. Hartland, VT, USA: Sustainability Institute.

Sinek, S. (2011). Start whit why. Harlow, England: Penguin Books.