Escobar discusses inequality with regards to resource access in this thought-provoking piece. He points out that despite the growing reach of neoliberal policies into many aspects of life across the globe the world has not become homogenous; while certain forms have merged cultural differences are constantly emerging. He introduces the term difference-in-equality; the challenge for activists is how to respect/accept difference while fighting for equality; too often difference is seen as grounds for injustice, and a push for equality becomes a push for assimilation to a specific world view.
Traditionally only economic factors tend to be addressed when looking at inequality. Escobar stresses the need for different frameworks, summarizing a few of them. Environmental economics is essentially a slight variation of classical economics; it uses the market to deal with environmental problems by internalizing externalities, or unaccounted-for costs (such as taxing carbon emissions or pollution). It does not differ from general economic thought. Ecological economics differs drastically in that here economics is seen as existing within nature, thereby taking a more complex view of the relationship between nature, economics and political process. However it, too, falls short by neglecting cultural diversity as part of the ecologic process. A more complete framework looks at the interplay between all three processes, which then allows a multiplicity of styles
These ideas are important for understanding environmental problems and issues of development, including agriculture. A neoliberal approach to agriculture cannot successfully solve problems of hunger or inequality as it does not take this interplay into account.
- Escobar, Arturo “Differences and Conflict in the Struggle over Natural Resources” From Development, vol. 49, issue 3 (2006):6–13.