According to Max-Neef, a complex web of economic, financial, technological, cultural, and political relationships tends to perpetuate unequal power dynamics between industrialized nations and developing countries, hindering their ability to determine their own economic and social paths. Similarly, within those countries, centralized political and economic interests can exert control over local and regional realities. Concentrating decision-making authority in the hands of a few leads to limited autonomy and subordination of local and regional interests. This can result in disparities in resource allocation, development priorities, and political representation. Max-Neef advocated for self-reliant development, a proposal that, in my opinion, is worth discussing even today, not only within developing countries.

In self-reliant development individuals take a leading role in different domains and spaces. Self-reliance does not imply isolationism or the rejection of interdependence among nations, regions, local communities, or cultures. Instead, self-reliance emphasizes a horizontal interdependence that avoids authoritarian relationships, and encourages participation in decision-making, social creativity, political self-determination, equitable wealth distribution, and acceptance of diverse identities.

In Human Scale Development self-reliance entails different forms of articulation.

Articulation among human beings, nature and technology: anthropocentric worldview prioritizes humans over nature. Development paradigms focus on economic growth measured by indicators like GNP. Exploitation of natural resources and technological advancements contribute to GNP growth but may have negative ecological consequences. HSD emphasizes ecological concepts and conservation of natural resources. This entails, on the one hand, creating indicators capable of discerning between positive and negative outcomes and, on the other hand, designing and utilizing technologies that can be adapted to a genuinely eco-humanist development process.

Articulation between the personal and the social: prevailing political models fail to reconcile personal and social development, which instead are interconnected and inseparable and need to be prioritized by comprehensive policies. Self-reliance seeks to enhance personal and social development at various levels: individual, local, regional, and national.

Articulation between the micro and the macro: dependence relationships typically flow from macro to micro levels. Self-reliance, on the other hand, has synergistic effects when it flows from bottom-up. Local self-reliance stimulates regional and national self-reliance. Self-reliant processes should be democratic, less bureaucratic, and integrate personal growth with social development.

Articulation between planning and autonomy: balancing external support and internal initiatives is crucial for political autonomy and economic self-reliance. Global planning should enhance local autonomy and empower local groups and communities. Comprehensive planning can transform survival strategies into viable life options.

Articulation between the state and civil society: structural changes in the state-civil society relationship are necessary. Social mobilization is needed to consolidate self-reliance and address conflicts. Increased participation should be harmonized within an organic whole. The state should create spaces for the participation of different social actors to counterbalance power-centric logic and avoid excessive dependence.

Self-reliance challenges the expectation of uniform behaviour and the instrumentalization of people for capital accumulation, favouring an alternative economic rationale that prioritizes well-being and diversity. It calls for a shift from numerical indicators to the development and empowerment of individuals, promoting participation, autonomy, and equitable resource distribution. HSD aims to empower individuals and communities to take charge of their own development, promoting sustainability and meaningful outcomes. Self-reliance aims to nurture self-worth, to reduce economic dependence while allowing for necessary trade and exchange, and to a more comprehensive fulfilment of human needs. It fosters interdependence, cultural preservation, and technological understanding, contributing to resilience, cultural identity, and holistic development.

Now, is self-reliance, for you, just a dream or a reachable goal? Is it desirable or not? Has something like self-reliance actually been implemented in your region or state? Self-reliance and globalization, as it has actually occurred, do not seem to get on very well together. However, self-reliance does not exclude, for instance, international trade and exchange. How do you think, then, a globalization that respect self-reliance would look?