Abstract:
This study is a response to calls for alternatives to development by postdevelopment
authors and critics of post-development alike. It asks “can the praxis
of permaculture and anarchism provide an alternative to development?”
Although alternatives to development arguably do not exist untouched by the
dominant development paradigm, it is possible to imagine and to create the
different possible organisations based on principles of mutual aid, direct action
and self-management. Anarchism as a politically focused social philosophy and
permaculture as an ecologically focused design philosophy are mutually
beneficial in strengthening each other. The combined analysis of alternatives to
development uses case studies in the Wellington Region, primarily Climate Camp
Aotearoa, with permaculture and anarchist principles, and contributes another
perspective to the post-development debate. The two approaches share
converging central ethics, principles and struggles of praxis. They recognise that
transformative change is necessary. Whether it is called a cultural revolution,
transition or paradigm shift, the underlying recognition is that we need to live
more harmoniously with each other and the natural environment by creating
diverse post-industrial societies. Many tools, principles and processes advocated
by alternative development and post-development are the same. However, the
combination of those tools, principles and processes, and how they are designed
and applied in relation to each other systemically, are significant in determining
whether or not the intent is that of an alternative to development. Solidarity and
stewardship, decentralisation and autonomy, tight multiple feedback mechanisms
and a whole system design approach are some of the alternative people-focused
solutions proposed by anarchism and permaculture. Fieldwork research was
conducted using the qualitative ethnographic and action research methods of
participant observation from a constructionist and post-development perspective.
Global justice networks are given importance as examples of the anarchistic
intent of alternatives to development.
