What is glocal governance about, the proposal launched from Bahía Blanca? Argentine.

“In the medium and long term, there is a trend towards cosmopolitanism, but local advancements can already thrive and will be decisive,” said Agricultural Engineer Tomás Loewy, author of a publication on the subject.

The concept belongs to Engineer Loewy, who outlined these ideas in his book “Glocal Governance: A Necessary Landscape,” where he migrates the conceptual framework of territorial governance known in national spaces to the global sphere. In other words, he aims to incorporate a new dimension into development.

“The term ‘glocal’ adds to governance an organic, synergistic, and dialectical integration between local and global levels. This implies that every local system must, as a sustainability requirement, possess a global aptitude or vocation. This entails that one of its functions is to respond to global demands. From a global perspective, support for systemic and multiscale viability must be institutionalized, among other issues. In the medium and long term, this tends towards cosmopolitanism, but local advancements can already prosper and will be decisive,” added the writer, who resides in our city and is a native of Colonia Lapin, in the Adolfo Alsina district.

The theme is much broader and refers, in other chapters, to climate change, the relationship between space, agriculture, and territory, education, artificial intelligence, and liberal democracies.

— Does the book contain an optimistic or pessimistic view regarding our evolution? If so, at what stage do we find ourselves?

— I believe it encapsulates a skeptical optimism, given the current circumstances, but it alludes to hope and utopias through its content and proposals. In geological terms, the stage we find ourselves in is akin to a growing child, with all that entails.

“In reality, we are at a crossroads where environmental risk and social polarization must be urgently addressed. To achieve this, among other things, we must focus on the root causes of the problems and develop species awareness, considering our survival.”

— What is the impact of climate change on this train of thought?

— Climate change is the spearhead of environmental risk and is pervasive throughout humanity. We are witnessing a neo-denialism in the mainstream media. They do not deny the anthropogenic component of the phenomenon but simply silence the issue. This strategy is the most effective way to conceal a problem that already claims millions of victims annually and jeopardizes everyone’s future. In my opinion, it should be featured on front pages and debated frequently.

— Did the pandemic influence potential behavioral corrections in these proposals?

— Definitely. The positive aspect of the pandemic, if any, is that it made us aware of our interdependence among countries, without discriminating between social classes, ethnicities, or religions. Moreover, by reducing growth, tourism, and all forms of travel and transportation, there was a clear decrease in global pollution and a territorial approach from other species.

Overall, it generated a positive cultural shift where the global was prioritized, and we now understand that culture is foremost and the most difficult to change.

— What is the relationship between space, agriculture, and territory?

— A territory is a space with some level of institutionality and more or less harmonized power relations. Agriculture occupies most of the rural space. In territorial governance, the agri-food sector plays a key role because through agricultural SMEs, part of the population can be relocated, avoiding or mitigating large urban areas and suburbs.

“It is important to note that these agro-social units, such as family farming, agroecological or organic farming, with certain best practices, are on the threshold of verifiable sustainability. The idea is to promote territorial communities with a high degree of autonomy and a shorter distance between production and consumption. Due to its transversal, social, and ecological relevance, the conclusion is that food cannot be treated as just another commodity.”

— What does it mean when you say we need to go back to the sources? Is education included?

— Essentially, it’s about reclaiming the great teachings of ancient philosophers. Sometimes we have to refer back to Aristotle and others, but I emphasize the philosopher and scientist Immanuel Kant from the 18th century. He clearly placed moral condition as the barometer of human behavior. He praised the French Revolution while already advocating for the necessity of cosmopolitanism to address global issues.

“Education is a constant that builds civilizations when it has good content and methods that prioritize independent thinking and critical spirit. Nowadays, for example, environmental education should be an indispensable state policy.”

— Can artificial intelligence change any of the paradigms outlined in the book?

— The book includes a section on changes in science and philosophy. I describe the systemic approach as essential compared to mere part analysis. I also highlight the complexity paradigm as an indispensable methodological tool. Moreover, I emphasize the potential of quantum theory and mention entropic implications as a very interesting area of study.

“I didn’t delve into the topic of artificial intelligence, of which I only have a picture, on the cover, sent by my daughter. I cannot underestimate the role that AI can play in the future, although artificiality doesn’t appeal to me. It’s important to reaffirm that technology is not neutral and always impacts society, sometimes negatively. As the eminent Bertrand Russell said, it has advanced much faster than human sanity.”

— Is Colonia Lapin your place in the world?

— Yes, definitely. Because there I spent my time with nature, family, and neighbors until finishing high school. I learned all rural tasks, with a strong affinity towards land and agriculture. I also experienced its progress and decline, as an example of cooperativism and then neglect of the human and community capital that had been formed.

“Perhaps that’s why I embraced agronomy, and later sociology. In the book, I use this locality as a grounding or case study, beyond theories or postulates, to exemplify a century-old community that can now experience a rebirth.”

“Ideologies will diminish their expression”

— One of the book’s chapters refers to binding democracy. What is it about?

— It is the belief that the invitation to glocal governance, with all its cultural, social, and spatiotemporal complexity, can only progress in line with systems of real democracy. This needs to be emphasized today, at a time of high questioning of practical results. However, democracy is an institution, and any success or failure refers to individuals, leaders, and citizens over time.

“For the proposals being advocated, this democracy must be participatory. Individuals must have agency, and local communities must adopt the principle of subsidiarity. There is a great role for education in shaping planetary citizens — those committed to both local and global issues. We should not wait for traditional politics to solve all problems. We need to generate a horizontal, bottom-up policy.”

— What is the sense of liberal democracy?

— I believe the best profile of democracy is its liberal sense. I don’t claim this concept, but I understand it includes all freedoms compatible with societal development. It also entails a strong adherence to laws and the fulfillment of each constitution, regardless of powers’ independence. Likewise, it should promote evidence-based policy rather than purely electoral. In these types of democracies, ideologies will gradually diminish their expression.

“The right to property must also be upheld but not unrestrictedly; that is, until a point that does not alter its social functionality. This is already part of sustainability, which, in my opinion, besides being systemic, must also be glocal

link from News: https://www.lanueva.com/nota/2023-12-31-5-0-5-de-que-se-trata-el-ordenamiento-glocal-la-propuesta-lanzada-desde-bahia-blanca