Sustainable livestock production? Industrial agriculture versus pastoralism

Feeding our growing world population and preserving our natural resource base is a major agricultural challenge set to get harder. Despite agricultural productivity gains in many areas, roughly a billion people continue to suffer from chronic hunger.1 Meanwhile, we will likely add about 2.5 billion people to the planet by 2050.2 Yet providing enough nutrition for current and future generations is entirely possible, if we make the best use of Earth’s finite natural resources, especially arable land. Notably, one agricultural sector – livestock – places excessive demands on our resource base. But this is mainly due to globalized, industrial meat production methods. Tragically, the most sustainable livestock producers – herders and other mobile, smaller-scale livestock keepers – have been marginalized by mainstream agricultural policy for decades. It is high time for a course correction.

O trabalho familiar nas pequenas propriedades rurais

Nos últimos anos, verifica-se que a ação do Estado no tocante à pequena agricultura tem sido no sentido de integrá-la ao capitalismo industrial dominante. Neste ontexto, há um rearranjo das forças produtivas e relações de trabalho, imprimindo uma nova face ao chamado “trabalho familiar”.

Globalización, capitalismo financiero y responsabilidad social empresarial: tensiones estructurales

Los efectos nocivos que el capitalismo financiero y la globalización han tenido sobre los equilibrios sociales y económicos están estrechamente relacionados con los argumentos conceptuales que, como una llamada de atención, han llegado a las corporaciones y las empresas por la responsabilidad social corporativa. Sin embargo, el modelo construido en torno a la acumulación de capital y beneficios han planteado una relación simbiótica en la que ellos mismos son el recurso y el fin de su propia existencia, dando lugar a tensiones estructurales que anula las alternativas de ser sostenible y socialmente responsable al mismo tiempo. El camino que enfrentamos como sociedad, como empresas y como modelo económico sostenible se basa en el trabajo conjunto y los cambios en la manera de abordar el mercado.

Lecciones de una crisis anunciada

Resumen: El autor examina las razones de la crisis actual e identifica dos clases de causas, las próximas, relacionadas con las particularidades específicas adoptadas por los mercados financieros, y las remotas, vinculadas a las transiciones culturales que acompañaron al cambio del capitalismo industrial al financiero Entre las causas próximas identificadas se encuentran la desregulación y la falta de supervisión del sector financiero iniciadas a partir de los años 70 en los EEUU, la necesidad de rendimientos cada vez mayores generada por los fondos de pensión y la utilización de modelos con supuestos y herramientas que, en última medida, subestimaban el riesgo de las inversiones. El segundo grupo, las causas remotas, esta compuesto por aquellas que cambiaron el marco cultural de la sociedad occidental. El autor sostiene que las teorías económicas sobre el accionar humano han logrado influenciarlo y que el paradigma de sociedad esta virando hacia uno que no incluye otro valor que la eficiencia, donde la empresa no es vista como una asociación sino como una mera mercancía.

Privatização, desestruturação organizacional e da força de trabalho: o caso de uma empresa de energia

Este trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar o processo de privatização, como parte do projeto da reestruturação produtiva e de reforma do Estado, no contexto da crise do setor energético brasileiro nos anos 90. Para isto, é tomado, como caso exemplar, uma empresa do setor elétrico, para investigação das implicações ocorridas para a organização e para os seus trabalhadores. Entende-se aqui que a reforma do setor elétrico é parte integrante de mudanças mais amplas, remetidas à reforma do Estado, a qual adotou como ideologia as políticas neoliberais a partir dos anos 1990 no Brasil. É neste contexto que entendemos a privatização das empresas de utilidade pública no Programa Nacional de Desestatização (PND). Tomamos para o estudo de caso uma empresa do setor elétrico, tendo em vista que a energia representa um insumo essencial para o desenvolvimento de um país. Foi a partir também do desenvolvimento das formas de energia que ocorreram as revoluções industriais e, com isso, o desenvolvimento do capitalismo industrial. Além de revisão teórica e bibliográfica, o estudo contou com pesquisa documental dos relatórios anuais, do planejamento estratégico e da pesquisa de clima organizacional realizados pela empresa investigada. Contribuiu, para a análise, ainda, o processo de observação da autora como participante do cotidiano organizacional, na medida em que é trabalhadora e assistente social da empresa. A pesquisa revela que o período de sete anos em que a empresa permaneceu incluída no PND, acarretou a sua des/reestruturação tanto para a identidade empresarial da empresa quanto para os seus recursos humanos. Diante, da reestruturação, a empresa elaborou seu Planejamento Estratégico, buscando, segundo os padrões empresariais vigentes, ser referência mundial, ter excelência empresarial e rentabilidade. Ao mesmo tempo, estabeleceu abstratamente a valorização das pessoas, a transparência, a ética e a responsabilidade sócio-ambiental. Porém, ao analisar o seu Planejamento Estratégico e a pesquisa de Clima Organizacional, constatamos as contradições existentes na empresa. Entre as contradições, verificamos ser a gestão de recursos humanos, o principal desafio a ser superado nesse processo de reestruturação.

Survey of exist specifications morphometric, meristic and inter species molecular genetic on Bream (Abramis brava orientalis) in Anzali wetland, southern coast of Caspian Sea, Aras Dam Lake and Azerbijan Republic

Bream (Abramis brava orientalis) is one of Cyprindae the Caspian Sea and its basin which has a special ecological, biological and economical role. Stock of this fish in the Caspian Sea has reduced during several years for different reason the over fishing, different industrial, agriculture, urban pollution and destroy of the spawning habitat. So that fishery company decided to recover the stock of this fish by the way of artificial reproduction of a Bream couple hunted from south coast of the Caspian Sea (Iran) and setting the fingerling to the rivers and inflow wetlands of the Caspian Sea.This activity has due to 20 tons Bream annual fishing in the Iranian South coast of the Caspian Sea (Gilan province coast and Anzali wetland), The artificial reproduction has decreased Bream population diversity of Caspian sea and Anzali wetland.So it has been declined to improve Braem population diversity by the entrance of Azerbijan republic Bream and encounter to the Caspian sea Bream. Meanwhile there is Bream in the Aras Dam Lake which had been forgotten by the Fishery Company of Iran .For this reason specifications morphometric, meristic and inter species Molecular Genetic have been surveyed in Anzali wetland,Southern coast of Caspian Sea ,Aras Darn Lake and Azerbijan republic during 2003-2005. According to the research on specifications of Morphometric and Meristic of Anzali wetland(120 species),Southern coast of Caspian Sea(90 species), Aras Dam Lake(110 species) and Azerbijan Republic(125 species)has Morphometric and Meristic differences. So that average weight and total length of Anzali wetland Bream respectively was 167 g and 23/76 cm, 102 g and 27/62 cm in Caspian Sea , 461 g and 3 5/38 cm in Aras Darn Lake and 3 4189 g and 15/21 cm in Azerbijan republic (We forced to use 1 year Bream of artificial reproduction in Iran). Also variation coefficient average Morphometric, Morphometric specification Ration and meristic in Anzali wetland Bream was 17/45, 21/56 and 4/63, in Caspian Sea bream 22/58, 15/27 and 3124, in Aras Dam lake Lake 17145. 1.5/27 and 3/57 and Azerbaijan republic Bream 22/29, 19/66 and 4/22. Also Bream of these four regions in general status had Morphometric significant differences based on One Way ANOVA Analysis. Meanwhile Anzali wetland Bream with Caspian Sea Bream from 41 Morphometric surveyed factors in 33 factors, with Aras Darn Lake Bream in 41 factors, with Azerbkjan republic Bream in 41 factors,Caspian Sea Bream with Aras Darn Lake Bream in 36 factors,with Azerbijan republic B ream in 40 factors and A ras Dam L ake Bream with Azerbijan republic Bream in 38 factors had significant statistical differences. These four regions Bream had differences according to the Morphomertric specification ration based on One Way ANOVA Analysis. Also Anzali wetland Bream was surveyed with Caspian Sea Bream from 37 factors i n 27 factors, Anzali wetland Bream with Aras Dam 1ake in 37 factors Anzali wetland Bream with Azerbijan republic Bream in 32 factors,Caspian sea bream with Arsa Dam Lake Bream in 26 factors, Caspian Sea Bream with Azerbijan republic Bream in 29 factors and Aras Dam Lake Bream with Azerbijan republic Bream in 34 factor had significant statistical differences. Based on Meristic factor of four regions bream in 16 surveyed factors in 10 factors had meaningful differences according to the One Way ANOVA Analysis. While Anzali wetland Bream was surveyed with Caspian Sea Bream from in 3 factors,Anzali wetland Bream with Aras Dam lake in 8 factors,Anzali wetland Bream with Azerbijan republic B ream in 6 factors,Caspian Sea bream with Arsa Dam Lake Bream in 6 factors,Caspian sea Bream with Azerbijan republic Bream in 3 factors and Aras Dam Lake Bream with Azerijan republic Bream in 8 factor had significant statistical differences.Meanwihle based on Factor Analysis and Discriminant Breams had differences. Also according to the resrarchs Anzali wetland Bream in 0+ age group till 5+ (6 age groups),Caspian Sea bream in 1+ - 5+(5 age groups),Aras Darn Lake Bream in 1+ - 7+ (7 age groups) and Azerbijan republic Bream for Morphometric and Meristic studies in 1+age group and for molecular Genetic reaserch were in 8+and 9+ age groups. According to the research 4 ecosystems Bream in status of same age, Aras lake Bream were bigger according to weight and length.Also in this research genetic diversity between four population was researched by PCR-RFLP technic on a piece of mitochondrion genome with the length of 3500bp contain of tRNA-leu,tRNA-glu,ND5/6,Cytb. Between 17 used enzyme. 4 enzyme, Dral, Bc11, Haefll and Banff showed diversity in totally 6 composite haplotype was detected. Maximum nucleotide diversity by the value% 0/58 in Azerbijan republic Bream by all haplotype. Aras darn Lake Bream had 2 haplotype and nucleotide diversity of %0/35.Anzali wetland and Caspian Sea Bream had no diversity. Statistical analysis by the usage of Monte Carlo with 1000 repeat showed significant differences between Azerbaijan Bream and other Bream(P<0/0001) but there was no significant difference between 3 regions Bream(P>0/5).

Effect of biogeographic history on population vulnerability in European amphibians.

The genetic diversity of populations, which contributes greatly to their adaptive potential, is negatively affected by anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and destruction. However, continental-scale losses of genetic diversity also resulted from the population expansions that followed the end of the last glaciation, an element that is rarely considered in a conservation context. We addressed this issue in a meta-analysis in which we compared the spatial patterns of vulnerability of 18 widespread European amphibians in light of phylogeographic histories (glacial refugia and postglacial routes) and anthropogenic disturbances. Conservation statuses significantly worsened with distances from refugia, particularly in the context of industrial agriculture; human population density also had a negative effect. These findings suggest that features associated with the loss of genetic diversity in post-glacial amphibian populations (such as enhanced fixation load or depressed adaptive potential) may increase their susceptibility to current threats (e.g., habitat fragmentation and pesticide use). We propose that the phylogeographic status of populations (i.e., refugial vs. post-glacial) should be considered in conservation assessments for regional and national red lists.

A minor theory of the transit of materiality into discourse, Via Campesina.

In this thesis I explore how the material properties of plant seed enter the political discourses of the international peasant coalition the Via Campesina and coalition member the National Fanners Union of Canada (NFU), querying how this process might be employed as a resource for a transformative eco-social politics. I employ several post-structural theoretical constructs, configuring them together as a "minor theory". This minor theory provides the basis for a "minor" reading of three sets of Via Campesina and NFU texts. The aim of these readings is to track the movement of seed from a local agricultural concern to a transitive political one, across both the material and discursive registers. In surfacing the presence of the seed's physical properties in the three texts, I highlight the distinctions between the constraining seed of corporate industrial agriculture, and the social and agroecological opportunities resulting from what I call a "Seed Event".

Vers des aménagements multifonctionnels en zone d'intensification agricole : portée et limites des politiques et pratiques québécoises

Certains territoires caractérisés par une concentration et une intensification de l’agriculture se trouvent aujourd’hui devant des défis environnementaux et sociaux, notamment en ce qui a trait à la qualité des cadres de vie. À cet effet, une panoplie de mesures agroenvironnementales et de cohabitation (lois, programmes, etc.) sont aujourd’hui à la disposition des professionnels de l’aménagement au Québec. Cette recherche s’interroge sur le potentiel de ces outils à réintroduire le caractère multifonctionnel des territoires, c'est-àdire à assurer la prise en compte simultanée de plusieurs fonctions. Pour ce faire, la mise en oeuvre hypothétique de scénarios d’aménagement multifonctionnel issus d’une recherche antérieure est utilisée comme test. La première étape identifie et analyse les outils favorisant la multifonctionnalité des territoires agricoles et formule des hypothèses quant aux blocages qui pourraient limiter la mise en oeuvre des scénarios multifonctionnels. La deuxième étape teste ces hypothèses en faisant intervenir des groupes de discussion rassemblant divers professionnels de l’aménagement à l’échelle supra locale (municipalité régionale de comté). Les résultats témoignent du potentiel des projets d’aménagement conçus à l’échelle du territoire, notamment ceux visant des regroupements de producteurs. Toutefois, l’étude montre que les blocages ne tiennent pas seulement aux caractéristiques des outils en place, mais aussi à la réticence des professionnels à prendre en compte la notion de cadre de vie en zone d’intensification agricole. Quant à l’utilité pour le monde de la pratique de scénarios d’aménagement multifonctionnel issus d’une recherche universitaire, elle s’en trouverait grandement accrue dans un contexte où les professionnels de l’aménagement participeraient à leur construction.

Reciprocal and wage labour in rural Ecuador. A quantitative analysis

This paper analyses the determinants for rural Ecuadorian households to participate in community works, to exchange labour, and to use paid labour. The results show that participation in community work is more common among indigenous peoples who are more committed with community and live in areas with relatively high population densities. Exchange labour agreements are more common among indigenous households settled in areas where industrial agriculture has not penetrated yet. Instead, paid labour is used by small and educated households which have access to credit.

La política comercial de Estados Unidos en el marco de la Organización Mundial del Comercio. Discurso vs. comportamiento con relación a prácticas anticompetitivas

El objetivo principal de esta monografía es identificar cuáles son las razones que justifican las contradicciones entre el discurso y el comportamiento de Estados Unidos en el marco de la Organización Mundial del Comercio, particularmente con relación a prácticas anticompetitivas derivadas del programa de protección a la agricultura del país. Para ello se analizan el interés nacional y los elementos de la seguridad nacional a partir de los cuales éste se ha construido. También se evalúan los procesos de formulación de política comercial y las interacciones entre los representantes políticos, las asociaciones de productores y el sector privado para mostrar como este comportamiento contradictorio corresponde a la legitimización de un interés particular.

Los problemas del tabaco: Gobierno, campesinos y mujeres en la década de 1930

Durante la década de 1930 el capitalismo industrial organizó diferentes espacios de la política y la cultura en Colombia. A través del estudio de caso de Coltabaco, se caracterizan tres momentos de los vínculos del capitalismo industrial con la sociedad colombiana. En el primer momento, se la describen los vínculos políticos que hicieron visible diferentes formas de participación política del sector industrial y su relación con las regiones, las instituciones (públicas y privadas) y las elites dominantes, así como se subraya la importancia del mercado interno para la industria del tabaco. En el segundo momento, se caracterizan los vínculos entre Coltabaco y el sector rural a partir de la labor pedagógica de Coltabaco para la producción de la hoja, así mismo, se describen las representaciones del cultivador vinculado a la industria que fueron difundidas en el sector rural; finalmente, los vínculos entre Coltabaco y el sector urbano se analizan en la tensión por la relación mujer-cigarrillo. En el consumo del cigarrillo, el placer femenino se desligó de condicionantes morales e higiénicos, ganando, a través del gusto, una nueva circunstancia para experimentar la subjetividad de la mujer moderna. Los Problemas del Tabaco no se limitaron exclusivamente al espacio de la política económica, también fueron las costumbres campesinas desvinculadas del ritmo de la industria, y las ideas morales e higiénicas que organizaban la costumbre en la relación mujer-cigarrillo.

Produção e reprodução do design como conhecimento: (indicações para uma compreensão do discurso do design)

A atividade básica do designer é a concepçao, em parte ou totalmente, de uma mercadoria industrializada que envolva manuseio e/ou percepção visual por parte do homem. Como outros profissionais contemporâneos, o designer é um técnico nascido com a indústria, e se adequa a ela em níveis: dois - a) há uma funcionalidade entre indústria e design como conhecimento técnico; b) e também há uma funcionalidade entre a superioridade que o designer sente, devida a seu conhecimento acadêmico, e a hierarquia disciplinar da organização da produção capitalista. Exprimindo esta ligação orgânica com o capitalismo industrial, o discurso que apresenta o conhecimento que define o design não é apenas um recurso prático para a sinalização da prática profissional. Os seus termos técnicos, supostamente só técnicos, convêem à organização social da produção capitalista, reforçando a ideologia que esconde a dominação do capital.

Micro e pequenas empresas (MPEs) e construção social do mercado

Incluye Bibliografía