I think that the application of neoliberal ideas into the food systems slows the ability for change to happen in the agricultural system. Although the government should not have full control over the industry, I also think that removing almost all of its responsibilities only puts more pressure on the individual to make large-scale changes. The way that most corporations function prioritizes efficiency and profitability over the well-being and benefits of their employees. By loosening the regulations and government interference upon these entities, it makes it easier for corporations to continue the exploitation of its producers and consumers.
The strategies discussed in the article seemed interesting because they all approached these large problems in different ways to achieve the same goal. Worker cooperatives focus on reaching a more local area and creating community. The social and physical benefits of organizations like this can be impactful to communities in need. I think communities that can support each other are the best foundation for change. These movements work on smaller, which is where the other strategies come in. Food Worker’s Movements and Policy campaigns take the “fight” directly to the large corporations to stop active harm being committed. These operations take many different people on different levels working in tandem for a common goal. For that there needs to be places for these ideas to be born in the first place.
This is a long-winded way to say that things like the worker cooperatives are the necessary first step to nationwide calls for change. The most important thing that all these strategies focus on is helping those that are negatively impacted by the systems in place. Neoliberalism depends on people working against corporate interests, but this cannot be done effectively without the direct involvement of the government.
2 comments:
Slowing the ability for change was not something I had thought of for the idea of neoliberalism. This idea truly does put more pressure on the individuals. But does it necessarily have to be on the individual? The way I interpreted things is that people and communities could be brought together through the means of food and helping people out for the greater good. Worker cooperatives seem to get to the same idea as well. Both options seem like a better idea to me than letting the government continue to let problems slip by with little to no efforts to stop them.
I am loving your take on this Jesus, but I don't think the all the strategies she discussed are in a situation where u can only pick one of them. Why not use a combination of all of them, just like the integrated pest management method we learned about last semester.
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