Kothari, Ashish --- "Radical well-being alternatives to development" [2019] ELECD 2647; in Cullet, Philippe; Koonan, Sujith (eds), "Research Handbook on Law, Environment and the Global South" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019) 64

Book Title: Research Handbook on Law, Environment and the Global South

Editor(s): Cullet, Philippe; Koonan, Sujith

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 4

Section Title: Radical well-being alternatives to development

Author(s): Kothari, Ashish

Number of pages: 21

Abstract/Description:

In the search for approaches to development that are sustainable and equitable, there is increasing focus on frameworks, such as ‘green economy’ and ‘sustainable development’. However, these are unlikely to do much more than somewhat postpone the ecological and social collapse humanity is headed towards. Instead, we need to understand, explore and promote a diversity of fundamental, systemic alternatives that are available in various parts of the world, including ancient ones like buen vivir and ubuntu, and newer ones like radical ecological democracy, degrowth, solidarity economies and the commons. This chapter explores these alternatives, with a focus on learnings from practical and conceptual churnings taking place in South Asia in particular, but referring also to some initiatives in other parts of the world.