JOHAN GALTUNG tries. To wean districts off their dependence on capitals is a process which involves the same patterns of thought and action as the corresponding global action. We would agree, however, with those who argue that the basic contradiction in the world of today resides in the structure of global capitalism and that after that contradiction has been overcome a necessary condition for attacking the domestic structures, which often take the form of internai colonization, obtains. (11) Through SR ability to withstand manipulation due to tràde dependency increases. Dependency on import {e.g. of foodstuffs or oil) and on export (e.g. of manufactures and capital) constitute an important sub-class of the entire dependency syndrome. Decisio·ns made in one country (to double prices, to stop export, to deny import) have profound effects on other countries in ways that are well know today. When the effect is submission to the will of another country one can talk about manipulation. The obvious countermeasure is, as pointed out above, to inoculate oneself against this type of power by developing a capacity for self-sufficiency (not only self-re/iance) in times of crisis (i.e. when the weapons of export and/or import denial are used). particularly in the field of basic commodities. lt may well be that this will lead, in some cases, to a double economy - a regular one with import of foodstuffs and oil and other commodities, and a reserve economy where new patterns of growing food, and new forms of energy production, conservation and conversion are developed. Better still would be a combination in times of non-crisis of both economies, a "walking on two legs" policy, because of the obvious benefits to be derived from this type of diversity. Moreover, it will blur a distinction between the patterns of production and consumption in ordinary and extraordinary periods thus contributing to changes in life-styles and patterns of development. Innovations along such lines as kitchen-gardens everywhere (including on the roofs of high-rise city buildings). three-dimensional agrlc,!Jlture, acquaculture, bio-gas energy generators, use of human manure combined with waste products from agricultural production and consumption etc. should not be· seen as cri sis devices to be dispensed with when the crisis is over so as to return to patterns of dependency, wasteful overconsumption and ecologically harmful practices, but as good in themselves, e.g. for the many reasons already mentioned. And one of the reasons, as mentioned, is to increase the power of today's Periphery - col64
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTExMDY2NQ==