Animal rights and veganism are often seen as modern movements, but their roots go back much further in Western countries. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a surge of interest in meatless diets and animal welfare, known as animal rights 1.0. This movement was connected to other social justice issues of the time, such as women’s rights and the abolition of slavery. Prominent figures like George Bernard Shaw and Annie Besant advocated for vegetarianism as a way to combat cruelty to animals and humans alike.
However, as the 20th century progressed, the rise of modern intensive animal agriculture overshadowed the vegetarian movement. The livestock industry, with its economic and political power, pushed its products onto consumers through subsidies, regulatory capture, and aggressive marketing strategies. This led to a significant increase in meat consumption in the United States and other Western countries.
The modern animal rights movement, known as animal rights 2.0, emerged in the 1970s with the publication of Peter Singer’s „Animal Liberation.“ This movement focused on exposing the conditions inside animal production facilities and advocating for veganism. However, its message was often seen as polarizing and judgmental, making it difficult to convince the public to change their diets.
Animal rights 3.0, the next wave of animal activism, aims to challenge the systems that support corporate animal exploitation. This movement recognizes the need to work with professionals like veterinarians to advocate for animal welfare and change agricultural policies. By empowering veterinarians to speak out against industry practices and aligning with other animal rights activists, animal rights 3.0 seeks to create institutional change and protect the interests of animals.
Drawing inspiration from the activists of the past, animal rights 3.0 aims to bridge the divide between activists, veterinarians, and other professionals to confront the systems that perpetuate large-scale animal cruelty. By learning from the lessons of history and building a cohesive movement, animal rights 3.0 hopes to create a more just and compassionate world for animals.
