Abstract
A critical body of literature has emerged focusing on the spectrum of resistance against impositions engendered by the modus operandum of western capitalism, including the nuances of the productive patterns considering the environment as a device attached to the triple bottom line of the traditional view of sustainable development. Regarding the theory, solidarity economy (economic pillar), social movements (social pillar), political ecology (environmental pillar), and cultural roots (cultural pillar) are important apparatus that cannot be left behind if an alternative concept of sustainable development is to be structured. This article considers such apparatus as having elements of resistance, since they have different characteristics when compared to the standard features of the pillars that form the base of the criticized conception of sustainable development. Therefore, the main goal of this article is to conceive alternative elements to the standard concept of sustainable development, considering aspects of the grassroots approach. This study is relevant as it offers alternative and complementary elements in order to provide an understanding of the updated conjectures. The prospects of grassroots development, involving less developed communities worldwide, are being used as practical guidelines in local development actions. They have rarely been conjectured as conceptual elements to offer a new format for the conception of sustainable development. This article concludes that the traditional version of sustainable development can be upgraded with the alternative elements emerging from the grassroots approach.
Keywords:
Sustainable Development; Grassroots Approach; Resistance.
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Source: Elaborated by the authors.