1. Synopsis of Earth Democracy 1
Running Head: SYNOPSIS OF EARTH DEMOCRACY
Synopsis of Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace by Vandana Shiva
Diane Fittipaldi
University of St. Thomas
September 7, 2008
EDLD 913

2. Synopsis of Earth Democracy 2
Synopsis of Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability, and Peace by Vandana Shiva
Vandana Shiva based her book, Earth Democracy: Justice, Sustainability and Peace, (2005) on
the premise that the rise of capitalism and corporate globalization produced monopolies causing an
unprecedented concentration of wealth and power. Shiva asserts these monopolies amassed their
power by the systematic exploitation of natural resources and the dismantling of local economies. As a
result, Shiva believes we live in a world where commerce and profit take priority over people and
nature. In fact, Shiva goes so far as to claim that global corporations secure their profits by “pushing
peasants to suicide, the poor to hunger and thirst, the youth to unemployment.” (p.75). As an advocate
for change, Shiva makes accusations such as these throughout the book in an attempt persuade readers
to reject globalization in favor of an alternative based on the premise of earth democracy.
Earth Democracy promotes the responsible use and conservation of natural resources through
communal ownership; Shiva (2005) advocates “freely sharing the earth’s resources, not monopolizing
and privatizing them.” (p.4). Three basic concepts define earth democracy, they are: living economies,
living democracies and living cultures. In this paper I will explain these premises and show how earth
democracy is shaped by each.
Our world is dominated by the market economy where we exchange goods and services for a
price determined by supply and demand. Shiva (2005) stresses the dominance and oppressiveness of
the free markets where multinational agribusiness has displaced diverse crop plantings with large scale
monoculture farms. In response, Shiva proposes the existence of two additional economies: nature’s
economy and the sustenance economy. Together these economies comprise the living economy which
focuses on people; an economy “where the currency is not money but is life”. (p.33). Nature’s economy
provides us with the goods and services produced by nature such as water, fertile soil and the flora to
survive. The goods and services provided by local human production and delivered in balance with
nature comprise the sustenance economy. Together these two economies thrive when local

3. Synopsis of Earth Democracy 3
communities cooperate, when local citizens watch over natural resources and use them with restraint.
As a result, the living economy emerges as one leg of a three‐legged stool known as earth democracy.
Shiva (2005) calls the second concept that defines earth democracy, living democracy. This
concept rejects the idea that elected governments represent the will of the people. Much like Karl
Marx, Shiva believes those with means maintain control over government. Protectionism for companies
like Monsanto, create a situation where peasant farmers, once producers of their own seed, are now
consumers of corporate seed. In living democracies, local communities hold the power to make
decisions in a more inclusive approach to self‐rule. The concept of living democracy redefines
representative government and demands the return of decision‐making power to individuals and local
communities allowing them to control the use of their resources and protect their livelihoods.
Shiva (2005) calls the third and final concept that defines earth democracy, living culture. Based
on the principle of diversity, this concept embodies a society where people of all different cultures,
religions and lifestyles live together united in their concern for the earth. Living cultures regard both
natural resources and life as sacred. This concern for life stems from a universal compassion for each
other. In living cultures, diverse populations recognize their interdependence and as a result collaborate
peacefully.
Shiva (2005) presents a one‐sided case. In follow up, our class should discuss counter
arguments and their merits. For example, is globalization completely evil or can we identify
contributions or positive outcomes? Shiva (2005) points out the oppression and irresponsibility of
Monsanto and Coca Cola but can we identify socially responsible corporations, or are there none? On
the reverse side of the argument, Shiva paints the self‐rule of localized communities as infallible, but
does corruption and power mongering occur within all forms of society? Are living cultures always non‐
violent, inclusive and compassionate? Shiva’s presentation leaves these questions unanswered.

4. Synopsis of Earth Democracy 4
References
Shiva, V. (2005). Earth democracy: Justice, sustainability, and peace. Cambridge, Massachusetts: South
End Press.