Pros and Cons
Environmental Considerations
Localism cuts down on the carbon footprint of a community by reducing import of goods. Communities that share a localist mentality my be more likely to promote environmental stewardship as environmental degradation may have more immediate consequences on their health(pollutants contaminating local water supply) or diet(climate change might effect local crop yields) for example.
The current "breadbaskets" of the world such as California or the american Midwest arose as centers of agricultural because of their ideal quality in soil, climate, and watersheds. When crops are moved to areas they are not typically found, farmers may suffer from smaller yields and quality due to unfavorable conditions. Greater inputs of labor, resources, and energy may be necessary at the local level in order to compensate for these non-ideal conditions. In this sense, localized agriculture may lack the efficiency found at the global scale.
Agriculture also requires sizable quantities of pesticides and herbicides, tractors and other machinery, fertilizers , diesels and other fuels, which are not always manufactured locally. The production of such technologies near farmlands would also present similar problems related to inefficiency. The manufacturing of these products as well as agriculture itself, have big impacts on surrounding ecosystems, regardless of location. Ecosystems we value for aesthetic or service purposes may be at risk by moving industry to the local scale.
The current "breadbaskets" of the world such as California or the american Midwest arose as centers of agricultural because of their ideal quality in soil, climate, and watersheds. When crops are moved to areas they are not typically found, farmers may suffer from smaller yields and quality due to unfavorable conditions. Greater inputs of labor, resources, and energy may be necessary at the local level in order to compensate for these non-ideal conditions. In this sense, localized agriculture may lack the efficiency found at the global scale.
Agriculture also requires sizable quantities of pesticides and herbicides, tractors and other machinery, fertilizers , diesels and other fuels, which are not always manufactured locally. The production of such technologies near farmlands would also present similar problems related to inefficiency. The manufacturing of these products as well as agriculture itself, have big impacts on surrounding ecosystems, regardless of location. Ecosystems we value for aesthetic or service purposes may be at risk by moving industry to the local scale.
Economic Considerations
The idea that localism encourages economic prosperity for the community is centered around the multiplier impact. Essentially a dollar spent at a mom 'n pop joint has two or three times the impact of that spent at a chain store. When goods are purchased at a chain store, very little of the currency returns to community member pockets, instead it is shipped of to pay the bonuses of CEOs and Executives in far away high rises. On the contrary, when goods are purchased at a small retail store, the money is moved from one community member to another. What's more is that the store owner is far more likely to use his earnings locally then the executives, by purchasing other resources or services for their own business or pleasure, once again keeping their dollar local.
However the benefits of the multiplier affect may be outweighed by those of a global supply chain and economy. Employees of chain stores on average tend to receive higher wages and benefits compared to those in equivalent positions at small businesses. Small business lack the strict regulations that keep big companies in check and enforce equitable treatment of employees.
One important consideration to economics is agriculture. When foods grown locally and are not exported, farmer profits decrease as supply and competition for local sales increases. This is a result of the fact that in any one "local"area the majority of farmers tend to grow similar crops, which grow in similar seasons. By exporting crops to regions where they are not grown, farmers may have greater profits as this increases their reachable demand. When this demand is choked off to the local region, farmers must compete for customers. Additionally localizing agriculture may cause produce prices to increase immensely as the supply becomes scarce during non-growing seasons.
However the benefits of the multiplier affect may be outweighed by those of a global supply chain and economy. Employees of chain stores on average tend to receive higher wages and benefits compared to those in equivalent positions at small businesses. Small business lack the strict regulations that keep big companies in check and enforce equitable treatment of employees.
One important consideration to economics is agriculture. When foods grown locally and are not exported, farmer profits decrease as supply and competition for local sales increases. This is a result of the fact that in any one "local"area the majority of farmers tend to grow similar crops, which grow in similar seasons. By exporting crops to regions where they are not grown, farmers may have greater profits as this increases their reachable demand. When this demand is choked off to the local region, farmers must compete for customers. Additionally localizing agriculture may cause produce prices to increase immensely as the supply becomes scarce during non-growing seasons.
Social justice
Localism may promote social equality by providing more employment opportunities to lower class citizens
Locally produced foods are typically more expensive, placing a financial burden on lower-class or impoverished people. As discussed earlier transitioning agriculture to localism may place an unfair financial burden on farmers by limiting their consumer demand. The same can be said for manufacturers and companies, by restricting their markets to the local community we may reduce their profits and may even eliminate their means to live. Both agriculture and industry place high demand on land and resources. Localism thus requires the sacrifice of the communities land and resources, and this demand raises some equity questions. For example, how do we decide whose land is used? The quantity and location of converted land will impact home owners and businesses alike by driving down aesthetic appeal of their properties and degrading local ecosystem services. Historically environmentally degrading infrastructure is placed next to the homes lower-status individuals. When moving large scale infrastructure into our local communities, it is very likely that the same inequitable phenomena will occur.
Locally produced foods are typically more expensive, placing a financial burden on lower-class or impoverished people. As discussed earlier transitioning agriculture to localism may place an unfair financial burden on farmers by limiting their consumer demand. The same can be said for manufacturers and companies, by restricting their markets to the local community we may reduce their profits and may even eliminate their means to live. Both agriculture and industry place high demand on land and resources. Localism thus requires the sacrifice of the communities land and resources, and this demand raises some equity questions. For example, how do we decide whose land is used? The quantity and location of converted land will impact home owners and businesses alike by driving down aesthetic appeal of their properties and degrading local ecosystem services. Historically environmentally degrading infrastructure is placed next to the homes lower-status individuals. When moving large scale infrastructure into our local communities, it is very likely that the same inequitable phenomena will occur.
Gateway to sustainable development
Localism promotes sustainable behavior because it increases accountability and responsibility between community members. Consumers in these communities are more in tune with the reality of the production processes of their goods. Specifically where the raw materials come from and where the wastes end up. This heightened consciousness coupled with the increased relationship between consumer and producer translates to accountability. Consumers will place market and political pressures that promote more sustainable production of goods.
Resiliency
When strictly regional crops provide the community food, there is an inherent risk that these sources may vary in their yield from season to season and may even cease to exist. Mono-cultured crops are especially susceptible to pathogens and pests, which can wipe out even the most productive strains of plants extremely rapidly. By sourcing from multiple regions, which typically have different pests and pathogens, and grow different strains of the crop, the impact of a blight on one particular region is not quite as disastrous. The redundancy helps to ensure that their is always a food supply.