Authors: Klara Strecker, Frank Veraart
In: ICON Vol. 28.1 (2023): 77-104
This article presents a transnational history of entangled rose trade. Building on notions of sustainability telecoupling, and transnational history literature, it investigates the historical (dis)entanglement process between Kenya and the Netherlands. It aims to go beyond the common supply side focus to tell a story of transnational entanglement that integrates the demand side as well. Along four key time periods, starting in the 1920s, this paper presents the dynamic and complex history of the formation of the Dutch-Kenyan flower system, focusing specifically on actors (dis)entangling activities across time and space. It empathises the non-linearity and dynamic nature of human and non-human agents, revealing how entanglements are constantly renegotiated, leading to diverse and sometimes unexpected feedbacks with (dis)entangling consequences.