Analysis Of Staying Alive By Vandana Shiva
Vandana Shiva, in her book, Staying Alive, describes the masculine model of development as being inherently dominating and destructive. From this masculine perspective, “nature, women and the non-west” are rebel forces to be conquered (15). Regarding “Third World” countries especially, the masculine model of development is as prominent as ever. The only real difference is that what was once termed colonialism is now done in the neocolonialist name of scientific development. To begin with, the threat of real poverty in many of these less developed countries did not become a concern until the Western world swept in and attempted to ‘fix’ their lives. The Truman Doctrine, a defining document for the westernized masculine model, advocated for
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When the dam construction is finished, land that was once viable for farming will be submerged beneath the floodwaters. The natural pathway of the water will be destroyed and taken advantage of, not for local benefit, but for the benefit of cities far away, where the Western masculine model has already choked out nature. “Five monasteries have been or will be rebuilt on higher ground, but their spiritual importance will be diminished as the communities they serve are displaced,” which signals a defining shift in the local culture from a mutually respectful relationship with nature to being ruled by the destruction wrought in the name of development (China’s Drive to Build). Additionally, these people have only ever learned farming as a way of life. When they are no longer able to farm, their traditional means of survival becomes obsolete. Men might be able to find an unskilled job in a new town, even with no training. But the displaced women will have no means of helping their families survive in the new setting. Traditionally, women in subsistence settings provide for their families by farming, finding water, cooking, and taking care of the household, but in new urban settings, their opportunities to do so will be stripped from them. This also signifies a shift in culture due to the increased Western influence that their own government has forced on them. A shift from a challenging, but stable life of subsistence to a life of
When the dam construction is finished, land that was once viable for farming will be submerged beneath the floodwaters. The natural pathway of the water will be destroyed and taken advantage of, not for local benefit, but for the benefit of cities far away, where the Western masculine model has already choked out nature. “Five monasteries have been or will be rebuilt on higher ground, but their spiritual importance will be diminished as the communities they serve are displaced,” which signals a defining shift in the local culture from a mutually respectful relationship with nature to being ruled by the destruction wrought in the name of development (China’s Drive to Build). Additionally, these people have only ever learned farming as a way of life. When they are no longer able to farm, their traditional means of survival becomes obsolete. Men might be able to find an unskilled job in a new town, even with no training. But the displaced women will have no means of helping their families survive in the new setting. Traditionally, women in subsistence settings provide for their families by farming, finding water, cooking, and taking care of the household, but in new urban settings, their opportunities to do so will be stripped from them. This also signifies a shift in culture due to the increased Western influence that their own government has forced on them. A shift from a challenging, but stable life of subsistence to a life of