Ifda dossier 47, May/June 1985

author argues, all threats to the maintenance of systemic relations; the
minimal changes necessary to avoid crisis in the natural and social environment,
must derive from a greater understanding of the systemic nature
of human history and the cultural roots of human standards. The
conditions for survival are cultural rather than technological; they
require from societies, groups and individuals the ability to reset
their appreciative systems, their standards of what to expect, what to
attempt, and what to put up with, to an extent which people have not
previously achieved or needed.
. Fri tjof Capra and Charlene Spretnak, Green Politics - the global
promise (New York: E.P. Dutton, Inc., 1984) 244pp. A new movement, the
Greens. in their call for a new world oder, are challenging the basic
assumptions of both the left and the right. Calling themselves an
antiparty party, the Greens have introduced a program based on
ecological wisdom, social responsability, grassroots democracy, sexual
equality and non-violence at all levels. Green politics calls for a
sound, sustainable economic system that is decentralized, equitable and
compromised of flexible institutions, one in which people have
significant control over their lives. Green Politics, gives an account
of the rise of the Green parties in Europe (particularly the most powerful
one in West Germany) and a comprehensive critique of the accomplishments
of the movement to date. Fritjof Capra and Charlene Spretnak also
offer concrete proposals and structures for a U.S. Green movement, and
present Green responses to various key political issues being debated
here today. Cautioning against making the errors they identified in
their study of the European Greens, the authors discuss the problems
that a Green movement would face here. Spretnak and Capra agree with the
ideas and values of the Greens, but are critical of many of their specific
proposals, approaches and internal dynamics.
. Ingmar Grandstedt, L'irnpasse industrlelle (Paris: Editions du
Seuil, 1980) 249pp. Cette crise n'est pas come les autres. Et son issue
non plus. Pour l'entrevoir, 11 faut aller au-del2 des querelles politiques
scleros6es et des certitudes faciles sur la facture p6troliZre. le
'red6ploiement industriel" et les transnationales. L'auteur soutient ici
que nous sommes pi6g6s par nos outils de production, qu'aucune Gconomie
n'est viable avec les outils demesures que 1'Zre industrielle a repandus.
I1 montre comment Ie recours 2 des technologies de puissance pour
produire jusqu'aux choses les plus simples de la vie finit par creer S
travers regions et nations des interdspendances tellement compliqu6es et
rigides que l'ensemble devient fragile et s'effondre. C'est pourquoi la
crise actuelle exige une option radicale: faire face 3 un autre mode de
production, fond6 sur l'autonomie des personnes, inventer de nouveaux
outils, petits et souples, dissemin6s dans les quartiers, les communes
et chez les gens, rendre les economies moins compliquties et viables,
d6couvrir une libert6 nouvelle, rgelle et quotidienne.
. Jon Wynne-Tyson, The Civilised Alternative, A Pattern for Protest
(London: Centaur Press Ltd, 1972) 224pp. If we do not learn how to deflect
the course of our violent, acquisitive society, we shall destroy
not only our surroundings but ourselves. Merely to "drop out" is a negative
gesture. We must be prepared to contribute towards a better pattern
- a civilised alternative (Fontwell, Sussex and 11-14 Stanhope, Mews
West, London, SW 7, England).