Vandana Shiva

Scientist and feminist activist Vandana Shiva is the founder and director of the India-based Research Foundation for Science, Technology, and Ecology. Her writings include the book Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge. In the following viewpoint, she attacks the economic policies India adopted in the 1990s that promote free trade and capitalist reform. Such policies in her view have surrendered the control of India’s economic and social welfare to foreign corporations, destroyed the livelihoods of millions of India’s people, and degraded the environment. To preserve their future, the Indian people must act together to fight globalization, she concludes.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why is “free trade” not really free, according to Shiva?
2. How has government deregulation of business affected the lives of Indians...