ALTERNATIVAS AL DESARROLLO EN ZONAS RURALES DE EXTREMA POBREZA. LA EXPERIENCIA DEL CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS PARA EL DESARROLLO RURAL (CESDER) EN LA SIERRA NORTE DE PUEBLA

Abstract

In this research a review of different economic and regional development theories has done (Chapter 2) like Western Invoice, Marxism, dependence, neo-liberalism and sustainable development. Among the regional development theories, the approach of "multiple, intangible capital" of Sergio Boisier is emphasized. When the origin of development discourse is rethinking, in the light of the results, we conclude that the development was a strategy to legitimize U.S. imperialism. Chapter 3 provides an account of the crisis in long-term perspective, analyzing various areas in which it is presented, making our Wallerstein's thesis that it could be the terminal crisis of capitalism, which leads the need to question more deeply the meaning of development and to sketch some alternative characteristics. Chapter 4 describes Zautla municipality in Sierra Norte of Puebla, showing that it is an area of extreme poverty and can be considered representative of rural areas of “poverty agriculture”. Chapter 5 tells the story of CESDER, takes up his approach and the selfsufficiency and comprehensive development strategy. It also describes the organization, form and methodology of working with communities and the conception of “Cesderian planning”. We report some of the projects that the CESDER has driven in the area, its influence on other organizations and some awards obtained. Finally we present some conclusions and recommendations.