A POSTCAPITALIST PARADIGM: THE COMMON GOOD OF ...

ones, in an inferior position. Only a process of regional integration will
make it possible to constitute a real counterweight.
Nevertheless, in Latin America, there is one initiative that has escaped
from the logic of capital, which is ALBA (Bolivian Alternative for the Peoples
of Our America). Its principles of complementarity and solidarity
rather than competitiveness are applied to concrete economic and social
relationships. Although this achievement remains limited to fewer than
ten countries, it is of prime importance, because it is in line with the
new paradigm. The potential role of the social movements, which are
recognized as an integral part of the process, can help it to continue in
this basic orientation. Progress towards the new paradigm has greater
chances of being achieved if it is carried out on a regional level, and
ALBA has this possibility.
The other initiatives for the integration of the sub-continent that are
being promoted by the progressive regimes, although they do not share
the ALBA philosophy, are making good progress toward ‘delinking’, according
to the concept of Samir Amin. Whether they be Mercosur, with
sucre as the exchange currency, UNASUR, as a coordination body of
South America and recently CELAC that also brings in Central America
and the Caribbean – without the United States and Canada – all these
efforts show the desire to dissociate [the region] from the economic
and political influence of the north. It has not left behind the logic of the
capitalist market, but it is an important step towards breaking with monopolistic
concentration and in this sense it is a stage that could signify
a transition towards a new model.
Similar ideas exist in Asia (the Shanghai Group, the Chiang Mai Initiative)
and in Africa, indicating that there is a new dynamic. However, they will
only represent a fundamental step forward if they culminate in a new
paradigm. This cannot happen unless there is a new consciousness,
which has fortunately been accentuated by the crisis, organized and sustained
social struggles and courageous political ini tiatives. These are the
conditions for the survival of Mother Earth and Humanity.
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