by Eduardo Gudynas – In Martin Scorsese’s recent movie Gangs of New York, one of the main characters, Bill the Butcher, lives in a world ruled by violence. At one point he stops to reflect for a moment and declares: “Civilization is crumbling.” This scene, which takes place in New York City circa 1860, could easily apply to current events today. In fact, the sensation that something is wrong with the global situation is felt throughout Latin America, by everyone from government officials to business entrepreneurs, citizens’ organizations to small farmers.

Published by the Americas Program of the Interhemispheric Resource Center (IRC). Download …