1st Earth Congress
July 1 and 2, Buenos Aires, 2024
May 29: Technology, Capitalism and Nature
Integration
Dr. Ivan Facundo Rubinstein
FCPyS-ONE
Dr. Eleane Harin Proo Méndez
CEIICH-ONE
Method: Virtual
The current socio-ecological crisis caused by the capitalist consumption and production model has encouraged many diagnoses and alternatives for social organization: from green economy and development aid to transition, development or circular economy proposals. In most cases, technology plays an important role, either as an amelioration of the crisis or as a solution to it.
When evaluating technology as a driver of the socio-ecological crisis, research typically focuses on implementations such as fracking, monocultures for palm oil, or lithium processing. On the contrary, some sectors of the transnational economy have developed technological innovations adapted to the new crisis situation without necessarily changing the capitalist structure of private property.
In this framework, biotechnologies emerge as important elements at the intersection between capitalism, technology, nature and society. The field is considered a useful tool for scientific research in medicine, genetics and reproduction. However, it has been criticized for its implications for social life in the context of global and local inequality.
These technologies, which have gradually become the bioeconomy, are promoted by companies that see structural inequalities as new investment opportunities. Following Maria Mises, technological optimism has largely been developed with the aim of maintaining a model of sustainable growth through capital accumulation under a discourse that promotes human happiness.
In all cases, what “nature” means, who has the power to define it, and what the role of technological innovation is, remain hidden. The Technology, Capitalism and Nature Working Group invites proposals that address the following questions:
- Representation of technology and nature
- Economic growth, technological innovation and social development
- The role of the market in the relationship between development and technological applications
- Philosophical, political and/or economic debates about biotechnologies
- Environmental Allocation and Social Impacts
- Extraction of old and new types
- The Promises and Realities of the Green Economy
- Sustainability and new markets
Deadline for submission of documents: April 22
Registration form: https://forms.gle/ZbY6aiQJyhCK9KtVA
Contact: [email protected]
