Key to Growth: Rural Soul is Beyond Capital Worth
by Lavanya Gupta, PhD Candidate, TISS, India
We bring a reflection and rant by another of our blog co-editors, Lavanya Gupta from India. This blog is an earnest message and concern for recognizing JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) at a centric, regional, and global level. Her words etch important points from the keynote by Loka Ashwood on “Growing just and Democratic rural communities,” addressed at AAG’s Annual Conferences in March 2023.
The Mirror and Reflection
In a world marked by rapid globalization and development, it is crucial to pause and reflect on the inequalities and injustices in various corners of the globe. In the recent Annual Meeting of AAG 2023, we were honored to hear a prominent rural sociologist, Loka Ashwood, who has predominantly worked on the intricate webs of corporate ownership and property structures that contribute to poverty traps and environmental injustices in the US South and Midwest.
This blog delves into the insights from Loka Ashwood's work but also tries to add to the conversation about the global south, along with exploring how we can reimagine rural justice and foster sustainable global development by looking beyond the unicentric approach of humans for rural development.
An example of rural Periphery in the Global South, specifically India: A view from Rural Campus, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Maharashtra, India. The Institute is known for stirring conversations and working for equitable, sustainable development.
Rural justice is beyond Individual Rights and Economic Development.
We must move beyond the traditional understanding of rural justice, which often centers on individual rights and economic growth. It emphasizes the importance of embracing a holistic perspective considering rural life's environmental, social, and cultural dimensions. Rural communities are deeply interconnected with more extensive social, political-economic, and environmental systems. Recognizing these linkages is essential for crafting practical solutions to rural injustices.
2. Empowering Rural Voices in Decision-Making
A critical aspect of achieving rural justice is ensuring that rural communities have a say in decisions that impact their lives. Too often, these communities are marginalized and left voiceless in the face of powerful corporate and political forces. Empowering rural voices in decision-making is fundamental to addressing their concerns and needs. This requires inclusive dialogue and active participation in policy-making, where the agency of rural communities is respected and valued.
3. Amplifying the Voices of the Marginalized
Rural justice also involves amplifying the voices of those who have been historically silenced and marginalized. Ignored places and communities must take center stage in challenging injustices and holding the powerful accountable. This entails:
Addressing race, ethnicity, religion, caste, gender, age, and environmental conditions with empathy and understanding, not merely viewing them as mere units of capital.
4. Equitable and Sustainable Development
Genuine rural justice is intertwined with achieving equitable and sustainable development locally and globally. It requires moving away from irresponsible and greed-driven development, often exploiting natural resources and communities for short-term gains. By adopting a more compassionate and considerate approach, we can foster a future where rural-urban and global development coexist harmoniously.
5. The Global South and the West: Learning and Questioning
As we examine rural justice on a global scale, it becomes evident that there are stark disparities between the Global South and the Global North. Despite its advancements, the North is not immune to colonial legacies and corporate injustices. Drawing from Loka’s keynote, I would like to cite events like the "land back movement" in Canada, which are deeply rooted in the consequences of historical injustices in modern society.
On the other hand, the Global South, represented by countries like India, faces its unique challenges. Often, policymakers blindly adopt Western models, which may not be suitable for the local context. To foster equitable and sustainable development, it is crucial to question these uncritical adoptions and incorporate region-specific (diversity-ingrained; class, caste, religion, gender, geography) insights and solutions.
Therefore, to conclude as the keynote of Loka raises questions on the complexities of corporate ownership, property structures, and rural injustices. WE…….
… need to raise voices for a holistic understanding of rural justice and empowering rural communities. We can begin to address the pressing issues of poverty, environmental degradation, and social inequalities. As we move forward, we must question dominant narratives, listen to marginalized voices, and strive for equitable and sustainable rural-urban and global development. Only through collective efforts can we build a world where every soul is valued beyond its capital worth.
— Lavanya Gupta, Co-editor
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