So I found that our guest lecturer last class had some interesting points- first of all I enjoyed his introduction metaphor of state policy being like a cow tethered to a tree in that there is only so far it can go- you can't go beyond the rope that keeps you near the tree. And I would have to agree that our government's hands are often tied by the pressure of corporations and other countries. They are not necessarily in a position to fight for what's best for the average Canadian citizen but generally more so for the Canadian elite who's interests our policies end up protecting. This is evident in many facets of Canadian social life, however one of the most prominent can clearly be seen in our treatment of the environment. There is little respect and the environment is definitely viewed and understood in what it 'gives' us and never viewed in terms of what we 'give' or 'return' to it. This is very dangerous, it puts us above the earth we thrive off of, we are better, and we exist outside the rules of the earth- we'll make it sustain us. American imperialism has created an ideology that us humans (particularly the rich ones who have the most access and control to resources) 'own' the environment and we manipulate it and use it how we 'need' and see fit. However it's just not feasible and is in no way whatsoever a sustainable way to live, our treadmill of production will only lead to our own demise.
Not only in the ownership ideology do we see the demise of our natural world but also the same ideology and imperialistic nature takes over those who obstruct the process of success. for example- Indigenous communities have been and continue to be on land that is seen as valuable and is commodified with no regard for the people living on it or from it. The social consequences are overwhelming and must no longer be discredited!!!
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I think you bring up a very important point that Simon addressed in his presentation, simply that capitalism threatens its own means of production. We often hear about resource shortages or threats to the environment, and while some people react ultimately it is the consequence of our own western consumer lifestyles.
ReplyDeleteI think this brings us back to one of the prominent ideas from the course introduction- humans cannot stand above ecological law!
I really like the title you chose for this post. It caught my eye immediately. I would certainly agree that a divorce is in order, however, I do wonder if this is even possible. Taken for granted assumptions and power that the state has about third world countries, not only harms our environment, but it also encourages social inequalities. If, as one of many species on Earth, humans cannot fully operate sustainably within the environment, then we set ourselves up for an inevitable failure. A relationship must be maintained without power relations that seek to exploit. We are PART of the environment, not APART from it. Nicely illustrated by mentioning the cow and rope example.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was great and easily relatable when Simon used that rope metaphor with regards with university living. The state with the rope (as social property of landlords versus tenants) tethered as well by relations which must be kept stable( to protect private) property (the police) govern not at large but for individual.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting when Simon states the first fact of history is that humans make it and write its history and that the first human production is always the fulfilling to sustain human life. It demonstrates that often what we see as evolution or natural is really human influence. We evolved and changes only to the benefit of ourselves (particularly the elite of society) and thus capitalism defines all relationships within its power and owns things thought to be universal property. Thus the divorce should occur sooner rather than later when there is nothing left to save.