Historically, according to Lozano (2007), efforts at sustainability have been hindered by the individualistic behaviors characteristic of homo oeconom
Historically, according to Lozano (2007), efforts at sustainability have been hindered by the individualistic behaviors characteristic of homo oeconomicus. “[They] are human beings that are greedy and self-interested…[and] have an insatiable wish to accumulate material resources and attempt to maximize their utility while minimizing their costs” (Lozano, p. 370). These behaviors have made it exceedingly difficult to strike the balance between economic, environmental, and social considerations necessary for true sustainable development.
Lozano also provides a strong argument for the importance of collaboration i.e. “using information, divergent insights, and spontaneity to solve problems and develop new understanding of new products. It thrives on differences coming from sparks of dissent” (Lozano, p. 372). Collaboration, as exemplified in the example of the Curripaco villagers who hunt for and prepare food individually, but that aggregate the bulk of the food to the common fund in order to assure nutrition for all. This successful collaborative effort provides a stark contrast to the population of Easter Island where, according to Lozano, lack of collaboration and increased population led to “deforestation, which in turn led to tribal warfare, starvation, population crash and even cannibalism.” Clearly the approach of the Curripaco villagers would be a more viable means of achieving sustainability.
Tags: common fund, homo oeconomicus, livelihood security, population crash, pursuing happiness