This is excellent, Wayne. I inwardly shouted yes when I read this:
"Reducing poverty is a worthy aim—but I’m afraid that we’ve attached false value to the lives of the wealthy. I’m afraid that reducing poverty by helping the poor become exploiters like the rest of us will only strip the world of real nurturing value."
So much "development" is premised on moving the poor to the mass consumer society in Rostow's stages of growth model. This neglects to account for how environmentally (and community) unsustainable this lifestyle is - and the myriad new problems such a society will face. Sadly, It seems we never learn.
Thanks for the feedback! It's definitely a tough situation, especially when trying to find ways to help our communities without taking part in destructive methods.
I have not read Sihlobo's book but, as a South African, I am painfully aware of the divide about which it speaks. I agree that it is unsustainable, but don't believe the industrialisation model will serve us well. Like you, I worry about the damage to land and rivers, the elimination of small-scale farmers from the market, and exploitation by powerful countries who are only interested in profit.
Thanks for the feedback! There's a lot of good still left to preserve. Hopefully both our nations can continue to have flourishing small farmers and learn to appreciate them more.
This is excellent, Wayne. I inwardly shouted yes when I read this:
"Reducing poverty is a worthy aim—but I’m afraid that we’ve attached false value to the lives of the wealthy. I’m afraid that reducing poverty by helping the poor become exploiters like the rest of us will only strip the world of real nurturing value."
So much "development" is premised on moving the poor to the mass consumer society in Rostow's stages of growth model. This neglects to account for how environmentally (and community) unsustainable this lifestyle is - and the myriad new problems such a society will face. Sadly, It seems we never learn.
Thanks for the feedback! It's definitely a tough situation, especially when trying to find ways to help our communities without taking part in destructive methods.
My pleasure Wayne. Yes, this is a critical tension. I found the book 'When Helping Hurts' so eye-opening in this regard.
Never heard of that—may have to check it out.
I have not read Sihlobo's book but, as a South African, I am painfully aware of the divide about which it speaks. I agree that it is unsustainable, but don't believe the industrialisation model will serve us well. Like you, I worry about the damage to land and rivers, the elimination of small-scale farmers from the market, and exploitation by powerful countries who are only interested in profit.
An excellent post. Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback! There's a lot of good still left to preserve. Hopefully both our nations can continue to have flourishing small farmers and learn to appreciate them more.