How Democratic Is Just Enough? Critical Reflections on the Transformative Potential of the Berlin Food Policy Council

Abstract

In recent years, global social movements have increasingly challenged the corporate food regime, advocating for socio‐ecological transformations in the agri‐food system. This article questions whether food activists’ discourse and actions may potentially compel a democratic, participatory, and just transformation of food systems, overcoming intersectional food inequalities and embedded power relations. Based on a three‐year empirical case study (2021–2024) of the Berlin Food Policy Council, this article evaluates whether food policy councils can serve as venues for democratic participation, critical whiteness, and just food politics in urban settings, with implications for broader debates on urban social mobilization and transformation in Germany and beyond. Through participant observation, document analysis, and semi‐structured interviews, this research reveals that Berlin’s food policy council predominantly consists of white, German, middle‐class, left‐wing female activists, and is unrepresentative of the city’s population. However, a growing internal awareness of socio‐economic and cultural biases suggests evolving efforts towards greater participation and diverse perspectives. Further, the findings show a recent shift of agenda: from a narrow environmental focus towards a socio‐ecological just transformation, overcoming (at least partially) existing blind spots concerning class, race, and migration history. How and when this occurs is shown through concrete examples of collective actions and changes in discourse. Moreover, the analysis suggests that the Berlin Food Policy Council demonstrates transformative potential through its multiscale approach, engaging in collective action at various levels—from local neighborhoods to regional and transnational initiatives.