Environment and development in Brazil: notes on an ecosocialist alternative

Abstract

This paper confronts the idea of progress as a solution to the environmental disasters of our times. To do so, it dialogues with, and goes beyond, recent scholarly debate around issues of ecological/planetary crisis produced by late capitalism. At the same time, it seeks to contextualize the debate on development based on the Brazilian colonial heritage. Inspired by Walter Benjamin, It proposes an analysis of such endangered conditions. Benjamin evokes the need for radical and urgent shift in the current development paradigm that informs even progressive policies against environmental degradation. Finally, the paper invites reflections on the challenges and possibilities presented by the so-called “ecosocialist alternative.” Would it be a viable response to reimagine the relationship between human beeings in society and nature? The conclusion points out the pertinence of the theoretical framework, especially if observed the technological development of the last decades. The consequences of the handling of natural resources may be seen in the social and environment contexts.