The Temporality of Space from the Sumak Kawsay Perspective: A Methodological Proposal

Abstract

We discuss the relation between time and space, within the epistemology of Sumak Kawsay, the Andean cosmovision of Pachamama, and the ecological economics societal metabolism concept. Time and space are the same entity for the Andean cosmovision. Pachamama entails earth and time. Pachamama is different from nature. This epistemic structure supports the use of the Vida Buena expectancy to assess well-being. This methodological article proposes a set of indicators to evaluate the Vida Buena expectancy of wild ecosystems. These indicators are founded on ecological principles. Coming from heterodox economics, we aim to contribute to the construction of Pachamama rights.

Keywords: Political Ecology, Ecological Economics, Sumak Kawsay, Time Economics, Societal Metabolism, Nature's Vida Buena expectancy