JOHAN GALTUNG been given one more big copy - instead world diversity has increased tremendously, to the inspiration of all in search of a richer basis for inspiration. For just as for trade SR does not rule out exchange of ideas; it is rather a question of redirection and recomposition of the idea-flow, learning more from cooperation with equals than from imitation of (self-appointed) models. (7) Through SR there wi/1 be less alienation. This also borders on the tautologous: with self-reliance economic cycles will contract because of the principles of local production (as far as possible) - and of concentric circles. However, it should be pointed out that local economic cycles can also be highly alienating if there is no mass participation and no focus on production for one's own needs, particularly then for the basic needs. The point is rather that a negative factor is eliminated: the vertical, world-encompassing cycle, practically speaking incomprehensible except for the very few who, precisely for that reason, get considerable power. Thus, SR is incompatible with the transnational corporations as we know them today but not incompatible with some type of regional, horizontal, organization for economic cooperation as long as it does not impede the type of mass participation whereby people in general produce and consume in such a way that higher needs are also satisfied (for creativity, togetherness, sense of competence). 19 (8) Through SR ecological balance wi/1 be more easily attained. When ecological cycles contract the consequences of production and consumption, in terms of depletion and pollution will be not only more visible, but also more direct. The farmer who by and large produces what he consumes and consumes what he produces has the gut knowledge that pollution and depletion will be detrimental to him and his offspring, and this very knowledge initiates the type of negative feed-back that may prevent ecological problems from surfacing at all. Depletion cannot be relegated to some far-off corner of the world, because in that corner they are also practising self-reliance and do not let raw materials out except to neighbors at the same level. Pollutants cannot be dumped on somebody else's territory, in- " These more ephemeral, higher and immaterial needs are more difflcult to define and for that reason usually left out of economistically guided analyses. The result is clearly seen in the high level of alienation ln •the worklnq conditions of developed countries, one eloquent testimony being Studs Terkel, Working (New York: Avon Books, 1972). 62
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTExMDY2NQ==