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 Synopsis of Earth Democracy    1 
    
                                                

Running Head:  SYNOPSIS OF EARTH DEMOCRACY 

                                                

                                                

                                                

                                                

       Synopsis of Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace by Vandana Shiva 

                                       Diane Fittipaldi 

                                   University of St. Thomas 

                                     September 7, 2008 

                                          EDLD 913
 Synopsis of Earth Democracy    2 
     
        Synopsis of Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace by Vandana Shiva 

        Vandana Shiva based her book, Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability and Peace, (2005) on 

the premise that the rise of capitalism and corporate globalization produced monopolies causing an 

unprecedented concentration of wealth and power.  Shiva asserts these monopolies amassed their 

power by the systematic exploitation of natural resources and the dismantling of local economies.  As a 

result, Shiva believes we live in a world where commerce and profit take priority over people and 

nature.  In fact, Shiva goes so far as to claim that global corporations secure their profits by “pushing 

peasants to suicide, the poor to hunger and thirst, the youth to unemployment.” (p.75).   As an advocate 

for change, Shiva makes accusations such as these throughout the book in an attempt persuade readers 

to reject globalization in favor of an alternative based on the premise of earth democracy. 

        Earth Democracy promotes the responsible use and conservation of natural resources through 

communal ownership; Shiva (2005) advocates “freely sharing the earth’s resources, not monopolizing 

and privatizing them.” (p.4). Three basic concepts define earth democracy, they are: living economies, 

living democracies and living cultures.  In this paper I will explain these premises and show how earth 

democracy is shaped by each. 

        Our world is dominated by the market economy where we exchange goods and services for a 

price determined by supply and demand.  Shiva (2005) stresses the dominance and oppressiveness of 

the free markets where multinational agribusiness has displaced diverse crop plantings with large scale 

monoculture farms.  In response, Shiva proposes the existence of two additional economies: nature’s 

economy and the sustenance economy.  Together these economies comprise the living economy which 

focuses on people; an economy “where the currency is not money but is life”. (p.33). Nature’s economy 

provides us with the goods and services produced by nature such as water, fertile soil and the flora to 

survive.  The goods and services provided by local human production and delivered in balance with 

nature comprise the sustenance economy.  Together these two economies thrive when local 
 Synopsis of Earth Democracy    3 
    
communities cooperate, when local citizens watch over natural resources and use them with restraint.  

As a result, the living economy emerges as one leg of a three‐legged stool known as earth democracy.   

        Shiva (2005) calls the second concept that defines earth democracy, living democracy. This 

concept rejects the idea that elected governments represent the will of the people.  Much like Karl 

Marx, Shiva believes those with means maintain control over government. Protectionism for companies 

like Monsanto, create a situation where peasant farmers, once producers of their own seed, are now 

consumers of corporate seed. In living democracies, local communities hold the power to make 

decisions in a more inclusive approach to self‐rule.  The concept of living democracy redefines 

representative government and demands the return of decision‐making power to individuals and local 

communities allowing them to control the use of their resources and protect their livelihoods. 

        Shiva (2005) calls the third and final concept that defines earth democracy, living culture.  Based 

on the principle of diversity, this concept embodies a society where people of all different cultures, 

religions and lifestyles live together united in their concern for the earth.  Living cultures regard both 

natural resources and life as sacred. This concern for life stems from a universal compassion for each 

other.  In living cultures, diverse populations recognize their interdependence and as a result collaborate 

peacefully.  

        Shiva (2005) presents a one‐sided case.  In follow up, our class should discuss counter 

arguments and their merits.  For example, is globalization completely evil or can we identify 

contributions or positive outcomes?  Shiva (2005) points out the oppression and irresponsibility of 

Monsanto and Coca Cola but can we identify socially responsible corporations, or are there none?  On 

the reverse side of the argument, Shiva paints the self‐rule of localized communities as infallible, but 

does corruption and power mongering occur within all forms of society?  Are living cultures always non‐

violent, inclusive and compassionate? Shiva’s presentation leaves these questions unanswered. 
 Synopsis of Earth Democracy    4 
     
                                              References 

Shiva, V. (2005). Earth democracy: Justice, sustainability, and peace. Cambridge, Massachusetts: South 

    End Press. 

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Earth democracy

  • 1.  Synopsis of Earth Democracy    1      Running Head:  SYNOPSIS OF EARTH DEMOCRACY          Synopsis of Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace by Vandana Shiva  Diane Fittipaldi  University of St. Thomas  September 7, 2008  EDLD 913
  • 2.  Synopsis of Earth Democracy    2    Synopsis of Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace by Vandana Shiva    Vandana Shiva based her book, Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability and Peace, (2005) on  the premise that the rise of capitalism and corporate globalization produced monopolies causing an  unprecedented concentration of wealth and power.  Shiva asserts these monopolies amassed their  power by the systematic exploitation of natural resources and the dismantling of local economies.  As a  result, Shiva believes we live in a world where commerce and profit take priority over people and  nature.  In fact, Shiva goes so far as to claim that global corporations secure their profits by “pushing  peasants to suicide, the poor to hunger and thirst, the youth to unemployment.” (p.75).   As an advocate  for change, Shiva makes accusations such as these throughout the book in an attempt persuade readers  to reject globalization in favor of an alternative based on the premise of earth democracy.    Earth Democracy promotes the responsible use and conservation of natural resources through  communal ownership; Shiva (2005) advocates “freely sharing the earth’s resources, not monopolizing  and privatizing them.” (p.4). Three basic concepts define earth democracy, they are: living economies,  living democracies and living cultures.  In this paper I will explain these premises and show how earth  democracy is shaped by each.    Our world is dominated by the market economy where we exchange goods and services for a  price determined by supply and demand.  Shiva (2005) stresses the dominance and oppressiveness of  the free markets where multinational agribusiness has displaced diverse crop plantings with large scale  monoculture farms.  In response, Shiva proposes the existence of two additional economies: nature’s  economy and the sustenance economy.  Together these economies comprise the living economy which  focuses on people; an economy “where the currency is not money but is life”. (p.33). Nature’s economy  provides us with the goods and services produced by nature such as water, fertile soil and the flora to  survive.  The goods and services provided by local human production and delivered in balance with  nature comprise the sustenance economy.  Together these two economies thrive when local 
  • 3.  Synopsis of Earth Democracy    3    communities cooperate, when local citizens watch over natural resources and use them with restraint.   As a result, the living economy emerges as one leg of a three‐legged stool known as earth democracy.      Shiva (2005) calls the second concept that defines earth democracy, living democracy. This  concept rejects the idea that elected governments represent the will of the people.  Much like Karl  Marx, Shiva believes those with means maintain control over government. Protectionism for companies  like Monsanto, create a situation where peasant farmers, once producers of their own seed, are now  consumers of corporate seed. In living democracies, local communities hold the power to make  decisions in a more inclusive approach to self‐rule.  The concept of living democracy redefines  representative government and demands the return of decision‐making power to individuals and local  communities allowing them to control the use of their resources and protect their livelihoods.    Shiva (2005) calls the third and final concept that defines earth democracy, living culture.  Based  on the principle of diversity, this concept embodies a society where people of all different cultures,  religions and lifestyles live together united in their concern for the earth.  Living cultures regard both  natural resources and life as sacred. This concern for life stems from a universal compassion for each  other.  In living cultures, diverse populations recognize their interdependence and as a result collaborate  peacefully.     Shiva (2005) presents a one‐sided case.  In follow up, our class should discuss counter  arguments and their merits.  For example, is globalization completely evil or can we identify  contributions or positive outcomes?  Shiva (2005) points out the oppression and irresponsibility of  Monsanto and Coca Cola but can we identify socially responsible corporations, or are there none?  On  the reverse side of the argument, Shiva paints the self‐rule of localized communities as infallible, but  does corruption and power mongering occur within all forms of society?  Are living cultures always non‐ violent, inclusive and compassionate? Shiva’s presentation leaves these questions unanswered. 
  • 4.  Synopsis of Earth Democracy    4    References  Shiva, V. (2005). Earth democracy: Justice, sustainability, and peace. Cambridge, Massachusetts: South  End Press.