Physics Maths Engineering
Shaping a Communitarian Ethos in an Era of Ecological Crisis
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Abstract
In response to the deep social and ecological crisis for which the international community is proving incapable of attenuating, many Peasants and Indigenous peoples in Mexico, and in other parts of the Global South, are transforming their visions of their futures, shaping a new ethos of self-management and conviviality, consistent with a responsible relationship to their territories. From the vantage point of the Global South, these peoples constitute a social and economic force that is altering the social and productive dynamics in many countries, proposing models of organization and building alliances among themselves regionally and internationally to exchange information, develop common strategies, and provide political support. In Mexico, many continue to produce traditional crops, while modifying their techniques to incorporate agroecological experiences from other communities, diversifying output and protecting the environment. Recently, they are enriching local practices with a systematization of their inherited traditions and cosmologies, creating effective models of social, political and environmental organization that lend authority to their claims to be able to manage their territories autonomously. There is a growing body of scientific literature that substantiates this capacity, demonstrating that the collective knowledge of the global networks of local communities is more effective in protecting biodiversity and attending to their own basic needs while improving their quality of life than that of societies more fully integrated into the global economy. In conclusion, we describe how these visions are shaping international networks, defining new channels for collaboration, improving the quality of life for people in these communities, while protecting them from the continuing incursions of capital.
Key Questions about Communitarian Responses to Ecological Crisis
The article "Shaping a Communitarian Ethos in an Era of Ecological Crisis" by David Barkin examines how Indigenous and peasant communities in Mexico and other parts of the Global South are developing a new ethos centered on self-management and conviviality. This ethos emphasizes a responsible relationship with their territories and challenges the prevailing economic models. These communities are transforming their visions of the future by integrating traditional practices with agroecological methods, diversifying production, and protecting the environment. They are also systematizing their inherited traditions and cosmologies to create effective models of social, political, and environmental organization. This approach lends authority to their claims for autonomous management of their territories. The article highlights that the collective knowledge of these local communities is more effective in protecting biodiversity and meeting their basic needs while improving their quality of life than societies more fully integrated into the global economy. ([frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainability/articles/10.3389/frsus.2022.944252/full))
1. How are Indigenous and peasant communities in the Global South responding to ecological crises?
These communities are developing a new ethos centered on self-management and conviviality, emphasizing a responsible relationship with their territories. They are transforming their visions of the future by integrating traditional practices with agroecological methods, diversifying production, and protecting the environment. ([frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainability/articles/10.3389/frsus.2022.944252/full))
2. What practices are these communities adopting to address environmental challenges?
They are systematizing their inherited traditions and cosmologies to create effective models of social, political, and environmental organization. This approach lends authority to their claims for autonomous management of their territories. ([frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainability/articles/10.3389/frsus.2022.944252/full))
3. How does the collective knowledge of these communities compare to that of more globally integrated societies?
The article highlights that the collective knowledge of these local communities is more effective in protecting biodiversity and meeting their basic needs while improving their quality of life than societies more fully integrated into the global economy. ([frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainability/articles/10.3389/frsus.2022.944252/full))
