This document discusses strategies for sustainable development through degrowth and strengthening tradition. It proposes alternative social models based on rural resurgence, dynamic agriculture, and productive diversity. Specific strategies mentioned include developing autonomous and self-sufficient communities through diversifying production, ecosystem management, and renewable energy. Local knowledge and networks would be strengthened to build a solidarity economy with quality, sustainable systems and regional barter markets. Overall, the document advocates for developing local solutions and traditional knowledge as alternatives to mainstream development models.

1. DEGROWTH:
New Strategies for
Strengthening Tradition

2. The Fathers of the Scientific Revolution
Galileo Galilei Francis Bacon Descartes Isaac Newton
Theirs was a mechanical, reductionist vision of the
world and the universe. Their vision is the basis for
the concept and method of modern science and the
western model of development.

3. Francis Bacon:
Nature has to be “hounded in her
wanderings”, “bound into service”, and
made a “slave”. She was to be “put in
constraint”, and the aim of the scientist was
to “torture nature’s secrets from her”.

4. Figure 3: Building sustainability: Social and environmental responsibility
Social responsibility Environmental responsibility
Participation Communal Territory as
Cultural
and Work shelter
Cohesion
Democracy
Communality Zoning
S
Restoration
Technological innovation M
for sustainability
Exploitation
R
Conservation
R
Autonomy
Support Political- D. of communal Surplus Food
networks cultural productive Generation Sovereignty
training forces

5. NEW COMMUNITARIAN
RURALITY
(Actors creating new persona)
Strategic approach:
Sustainable Regional
Resource Management
(People rewriting theory)

6. Heterodox Ecological
Economics
Moving Forward
• Mainstream science: critical pol. econ. of
productive structures and growth
• Heterodox paradigm : commitment w/
viable alternatives for well-being
• Post-normal science: conservation,
production and protection
• EE: creating new social-productive models

7. Alternative social models
A homogenous Diverse
model worlds
• Modernization: • Rural resurgence
• Urban-industrial; • Dynamic agriculture
• Interdependence; • Productive diversity
• market segmentation
• Integrated societies • production integrated with
• Advanced technologies ecosystem use/protection
• Backwardness • Self-sufficiency
Science for Capital Science for well-being
7

8. Struggles for local
development
Strategic principles:
• Autonomy
• Self-Sufficiency
• Productive diversification
• Ecosystem management

9. QUALITY OF LIFE
• Construction–ecological, social,
economic criteria
• Renewable energy sources
• Local materials and natural resources
• Purchasing policies: local sources, SMEs
• Encourage productive networks
(linkages) and broad participation
• Codify local epistemologies
(post-normal science)

10. SOCIAL RESPONSES
• Formulating local strategies
• Building models of coexistence to
combat proletarianization
• No noble savage; modern autonomy
• Redefining global threats to
“los de abajo”
• Population question: ≠ Malthusianism
A matter of gender equality/freedom

11. A SOLIDARITY ECONOMY
• Strengthen COLLECTIVE collaboration
• Use local KNOWLEDGE about production and
ecosystems
• Create synergies among producers:
PRODUCTIVE LINKAGES
• Identify QUALITY products and ecologically
SUSTAINABLE systems
• Implement regional circuits for BARTER
markets

12. WATER:
Conflict, Marginality, Sickness
Abuses (Tribunal LA del Agua):
• Inadequate services:
Quantity and quality
• Deficient infrastructure:
Partial coverage; bad maintenance
• Forgotten ecosystems:
Recharge
• Industrial impunity:
Mining; agroindustry; industrial/urban discharges 12

13. WATER:
Life, Collaboration, Sustenance
Possibilities for social organization :
• Universal service:
Principle of solidarity
• Quality of life :
Education to change consumption pattern
• Technological change:
Quality; availability; conservation
13

14. The New Culture of Water
(Mexicanized)
Fundamental principles:
1) Social Economy: (free)
• Water as a human right
• Water for environmental needs
• Water for social solidarity
2) Capitalist Economy: (auction)
• Water for economic and social development
(punish and end illegal uses of water)
14

15. The scandalous/careful
socio-political construction of
NATURAL DISASTERS
15

16. Ecotourism: Scale and control

18. Water Forever
http://www.quali.com.mx

19. INNOVATING TRADITION
Point of departure:
“Discover” vernacular
knowledge: avocados
reduce cholesterol in
mammals
Response:
Develop a diet for hogs to
rescue a traditional
system of backyard
animal husbandry for
fattening pigs

20. STRENGTHEN TRADITION
Challenge: “Identify” social
significance to community
and problems of producers
without choices
Response: Develop a diet to
strengthen local economy w/
Omega-3 eggs
Result: Individual activity
community responsibility
20

21. I
R
D R
I
R G
I A
T
P I
O
N
State of the Art Technology

22. Productive Forestry
With wood from pruning

23. Fair Trade
(http://www.artinoaxaca.addr.com)

24. Waste Water Treatment Plants

25. Water: Use / Treatment
Local adaptations of state of
the art technologies
▲
High-valued products
► Opportunities
for local
management and work
25

26. MULBERRY
• Highly adaptable
• Multiple uses:
– Food for silk worms
– Forage for livestock
sheep, cattle, goats as
well as rabbits, hogs,
poultry
– Landscape values
– Pharmaceutical uses

27. Silk Worm (Bombyx mori)

28. The Silk Worm Cycle
A 60 day cycle is aborted in the cocoon phase to obtain silk thread.

29. OBJETIVES
Initiate sustainable management of
mulberry and silk worms
• 1. Establish nurseries and mulberry
plantations in community forests
• 2. Establish and adapt rooms for raising
silk worms in local households
• 3. Produce silk work cocoons and
transform them into silk thread
• 4. Market silk thread and develop its
incorporation into artisan production.

30. OTHER WORLDS
ARE POSSIBLE
SAY NO TO “TINA”
“There is no Alternative”
(Margaret Thatcher – World Bank)

31. DEGROWTH:
New Strategies for
Public Water Management
Strengthening Tradition
Lessons for
Democratization
barkin@correo.xoc.uam.mx
David Barkin
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana – Xochimilco
Sources:
Wealth, Poverty and Sustainable
Development
D. Barkin
7 Noviembre 2007 Water Management in Mexico
Urban CISDA: Analizando el agua 31