Good Living (Vitalism): Alter-native to Capitalism and Socialism

Until 2006, it was said throughout the world that there were only two possible systems for humanity: capitalism or socialism, the right or the left, with their multiple variants and degrees between them. But today there is talk of another way and another system, to make "another world possible" in which "many worlds fit". The same that has attracted the attention of many people, especially the political intelligentsia and academia in many universities around the world.

This paradigm has begun to be studied more profusely, after the introduction - albeit superficial - of certain principles and elements of the Andean Philosophy and Conscience in the Political Constitutions of Bolivia and Ecuador, under the name of Vivir Bien/Buen Vivir (Living Well/Good Living). Likewise, by the introduction of the Rights of Nature and the Rights of Mother Earth in the Magna Carta of Ecuador and Bolivia, respectively. Becoming the first case in the world, since all constitutions only speak of Human Rights.

More and more activists from various regions of the planet are becoming interested in knowing what this proposal is about; there are even detractors, although most of them are open and motivated. The important thing is that this new-ancient system is already present and active in the dialogue and debate in the academy and in the real politike.

This system is the millenary way of life of the indigenous peoples of America, mainly of the Andes. It lives and survives -at different levels- in some communities and peoples that have been little or not at all affected by civilization, patriarchy, capitalism, modernity, development and neoliberalism.

This model of life is maintained in certain communities and peoples, although scattered throughout the continent. In certain regions some elements are preserved; and in certain families and individuals other details that complete this model. That is to say, at present it does not survive unified in its totality or plenitude, but in parts and according to the territories. But if we look at the whole, this millenary community system is maintained. Although weakened, but still with the possibility of a flourishing.

Therefore, it is not a horizon under construction, as some have claimed. There is a historical basis and a living experience from which we can start. Some even affirm that Buen Vivir cannot be qualified as a system, model or paradigm, because it is under construction. However, for the indigenous peoples who still live it to this day, it is a certain and proven horizon. It is not an idea or a theory or a fashion or one more adventure in the path of the left or any other sector that pretends to position itself or take this millenary way of life as its referent. Worse, the pretension of a certain left that sees the Buen Vivir only as a means or an instrument for socialism, or for any other social model that comes from Eurocentrism.[1]

In this sense, we have made the effort to systematize it theoretically, to present it as an example and a reference for those who aspire to a new world (or worlds) different from the current one.

This paradigm of life becomes a pretext or a model to imagine the real possibility of another world beyond the anthropocentric systems of capitalism and socialism. An alterglobalist version of the conventional left and right wing conceptions.

This communarchic system has been baptized at the same time with several names, both in Andean languages and in Spanish. In Kichwa as Sumak Kawsay, in Aymara Suma Qamaña, in Spanish and officially as Living Well (Bolivia) - Good Living (Ecuador); although, for others it is Living in Plenitude, Living in Harmony, Living in Equity, Good Coexistence, etc.