Empowering communities through public work, science, and local food systems: Revisiting democracy and globalization

Communities are the foundation of our society and of our overall well-being . Unfortunately they are experiencing rapid transformations that may signif icantly erode their capacity to remain viable and sustainable both domestic ally and internationally. Issues of empowering communities are examined in regard to social justice, challenges to democracy and globalization of the economy and other sectors of society. It is argued that the ways in which w e view and structure work, generate and disseminate knowledge through scien ce and technology, and produce, distribute, and consume-food are essential factors affecting our self-identity and the empowerment of our communities. How we shape decisions and actions around work, science and technology, an d food, as well as other key factors affecting our communities, is crucial to achieving a just and sustainable agenda for the future. Finally, it is p roposed that all citizens be engaged in a procedural process called discour se ethics, which is guided by the principles of justice, recognition, respe ct, and accountability.