this assumes that humans have in their relatively brief period of time on
this planet have already explored all possible ways of organizing things. To
limit ourselves to only the economic systems that have already been
developed--such as capitalism, socialism, communism, even barter--is to stop
the creative process (hallmark of the evolving organism) and reduce our
options to the merely known. The failings or limitations of all these
systems require that we IMAGINE SOMETHING NEW to nurture the planet and all
its inhabitants.
I have whispered for years, "Is capitalism compatible with sustainable
agriculture?" because in Marx's analysis--borne out by historical fact--it
is in the nature of capitalism to expand, requiring increased exploitation
of natural resources and expanding markets whether or not it's appropriate.
Why does Hollywood re-make old tv shows into full-length movies, and recycle
old movies into new movies? Why do the car manufacturers come out with new
models every year rather than give us new classically styled T-birds and
Corvettes? Why do food manufacturers constantly claim "new and improved" on
their products so we think we're buying something better than the same old
crap? Why do we (the consuming public) fall for these tricks and believe all
these claims? Why are billions spent solely on advertising every year,
billions that could eradicate hunger and mitigate a hell of a lot of
illness? Why does the GNP have to expand every year or there is something
wrong with the economy? And the gap between the rich and the poor widens.
Expansion is in the nature of capital, which I imagine as a vast wheel
rolling across the land, crushing small family farms and making way for
corporations to control the land. We in sustainable agriculture are working
hard to hold back the motion of that wheel, which has caused so much damage
to the environment and hasn't led to much of an elevation of our nation's
conscience, either. Look at the sheer number of women and children raped and
abused in our country--what is wrong with this picture?
1 out of every 3 American women will be sexually assaulted in her
lifetime.
61% of all rape cases are victims less than 18 years old.
This relates to Victoria's perception of the social drawbacks of capitalism:
>My personal problem with capitalism,... is that it seems to have given us a
>lonely sort of social system.
Not only lonely, but alienated from the Earth and from each other, based on
competition and short-term gain rather than cooperation and conserving for
the long-term.
Back to the challenge, which I have been considering for a long time now:
how can we organize systems that will nurture, not exploit? Do we literally
need to tear down skyscrapers and wage war against capital to change things?
I have a bias toward non-violence. Can we truly visualize a peaceful future
that will be ushered in with our positive energy flow? Or what?
It's hard to imagine what hasn't happened before--I invite you to try.
Jane
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