[afro-nets] Food for a deceitful, non-sustainable thought (3)

[Jeff Buderer <jeff@onevillage.biz>]

Food for a deceitful, non-sustainable thought (3)
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Dear Claudio,

The situation regarding sustainability is not just an issue of
neoliberalism but rather part of a deeper issue: it is a strug-
gle for humans to adapt to new ways of thinking and doing
things. For example the development game has been going on for
long before neoliberalism was in vogue in development circles.
So I think you miss the big picture if you make neoliberalism
into this boogeyman.

The truth is the core issue is not neoliberalism or capitalism
but the fundamental struggle for humanity to govern itself in a
way that is socially just and ecologically sustainable. Whats
more the publicly promoted rationale for neoliberalism is valid
- governments and societies need to be responsible in how they
spend their money. The problem with neoliberalism emerged be-
cause of the convoluted intentions of those who controlled the
levers of the neolieralism machine and its initiatives otherwise
known as the SAPs and put forward by the World Bank and the IMF,
which were imposed on economically struggling developing coun-
tries as requirements for them to receive money to continue sus-
tain their economies. This form of shock therapy was unnecessar-
ily harsh on the poor. This was the case because it reflected a
lack of imagination on the part of the architects. Of course the
fact that it was corrupt to some extent so that the programs
funded in many cases were very top down and large scale oriented
so that they disproportionately benefited the rich fat cats
(whether in the developed or developing counties) controlling
the whole process rather than going towards an effective and
sustainable economic development program to provide financial
stimulus to innovators who had the desire, the passion and the
ability to be change agents in their societies.

The real problem therefore is more fundamental than neoliberal-
ism itself and basically revolved around the fact that it is
much easier to convene a conference or PR event talking about
change than it is to actually truly lead in a authentic movement
towards change.

Indeed the very tendency among us me included has been to focus
on what is wrong rather than see the many valiant efforts to de-
velop truly sustainable technologies.

Thus we need to consider ways in which we can put forward new
models of sustainable development that can address the flawed
models of old - which you have pointed out in your writing.

I also would like to hear more about how sustainability (and I
mean real sustainability not corporate greenwashing) relates to
health care. My own view is that a comprehensive approach to
sustainable development should come before any significant funds
are dispensed to address urgent health issues like AIDS. I am
not sure how realistic such a position is though, given the ex-
isting needs and the existing power structure, but I would say
that a transition is needed towards a more whole systems sus-
tainably oriented approach to development. The solution to many
health problems at their roots have to do with environmental
degradation, badly coordinated development strategies and inade-
quate infrastructure (including education and health care).

The truly sustainable solution does not involve the band aid ap-
proaches that the development now puts forward, in a way shat-
tershot way, but a fundamental overhaul of development and the
technologies and approaches used to promote development. Any-
thing else may refer to sustainable development in it languag-
ing, but in my view is hardly different than the neoliberal sus-
taianbility greenwashing movement you refer to.


Jeff Buderer
mailto:jeff@onevillage.biz