From 24^th July 2019, this site has been exploring the theory and practice of localisation – protecting and rebuilding local economies in this country and worldwide. Persuasive voices, ‘looking to the local’, have included Leigh Sparkes, David Fleming/Shaun Chamberlin, Jude Brimble, Colin Hines and Helena Norberg-Hodge.

Recently Mark Tully (below) read an article on the subject, condensed from one on Steve Schofield’s website. 

Mark’s response

Steven Schofield’s proposals for a ‘going local’ environmentally friendly economy are excellent.

• However I am not sure he has an answer to the basic problem of building enough support for such drastic changes.

• How do we get over the belief which is so widespread among the public that the way we do economics now is the only way there is? 

There are such powerful bodies, political and business, who have a vested interest the present system and the resources to promote it.

If Steven could show that green, environmentalist, climate change, and alternative economy movements are coming in from the fringe and are on the way to creating mass support this would strengthen his argument.

The post-war Labour government did indeed achieve a profound transformation of the economy – as he relates – but then they did have the mass support of the labour movement.

I do think a lot of people believe that in some way or other this pandemic is a warning which demonstrates the danger of continuing with our present economy, and presents an opportunity we should take to change our ways.

In view of this might Steven expand on what he means by “taking control of the crisis?”

I don’t see any sign that politicians anywhere are intent on anything beyond getting back to business as usual as soon as possible. That is certainly true in India – a country that is in urgent need of doing things differently.

When it comes to public ownership the pandemic has demonstrated the value of public health services. But how are we to deal with the problems that discredited the idea of nationalization?

*The importance of local cannot be overstated. However practising local self-sufficiency could create an over-restricted market which protects inefficiency and creates scarcities which affect prices.

These are just some thoughts which came to my mind and are not criticisms of Steven’s proposal.

*

Ed:

I fear that green, environmentalist, climate change, and alternative economy movements are not ‘on the way to creating mass support’ but can see some movement in local government:

Since 2015 I have written about the widely reported approach of Preston Council – one mainstream media account may be read here.

The Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe, says that Wales should introduce 20-minute towns and cities to improve health, boost the economy and support communities in lockdown (see, on another page, the example of Caerphilly).

Leigh Sparks, Chair of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, is Professor of Retail Studies at the University of Stirling, where he and various colleagues research and teach aspects of retailing and retail supply chains and. He says we need an enhanced local focus, reducing dependency on long, complex, supply chains and sets out several measures which would promote this change here.

 

 

 

 

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