I have written about the partnership versus the domination approach, and there is a deeper form of partnership orientation that I thought I would highlight here. I’ll do it in the context of growing food since we are developing our own food forest these days and it helps ground the abstractions in something practical.
A PARTNERSHIP APPROACH TO FOOD GROWING
A partnership approach seeks to work in partnership with nature.
We recognize ourselves as nature, and that what happens with nature happens to us.
We use methods informed by ecology and science. We mimic natural ecosystems.
We create polycultures and rely more on perennials. We seek to build healthy soil. We don’t rely on toxins or chemical fertilizers. We find a variety of income sources from our land.
We create a system that self-maintains and, over time, requires less input of resources and work. We work with systems that create more abundance over time. We work intentionally with the inherent intelligence , wisdom, and dynamics of ecosystems built into it through evolution.
We seek win-win solutions that benefit us, ecosystems, wildlife, and future generations.
If we have animals, we seek to give them a good and natural life as much as possible.
A DOMINATION APPROACH TO FOOD GROWING
A domination approach comes from a view of separation.
We see ourselves as separate from nature. We see nature primarily as a resource for us. We see nature as infinite in resources and capacity to absorb civilization’s waste. We emphasize a narrow view of productivity.
We use monocultures. We use toxins and chemical fertilizers. We see soil as primarily for holding the plants up. We emphasize annuals.
We have a system that requires a steady high input of resources. We often rely on one source of income.
We work against many of the processes of nature, and try to compensate for it by using pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and so on.
We use a zero-sum approach where what benefits us short term (food, money) is harmful for ecosystems, wildlife, and future generations.
If we have animals, they often live a life of suffering. They suffer for our narrow benefit.
ALWAYS SOME OF BOTH
There is always some of both.
Even if we generally use a partnership approach, there is some form of control and management. We plan, plant, regulate, manage, make interventions, harvest, and so on.
Even if we generally use a domination approach, we inevitably have to work in partnership with nature. Otherwise, it won’t work. We rely on and have to take into minimal consideration the dynamics of plants and nature.
A DEEPER FORM OF PARTNERSHIP
If our view of partnership is superficial and one-sided, we miss out on something essential. We are missing out on the partnership with the rest of our world, including the gold found in domination cultures.
In this case, we are missing out on the practices, technology, and insights that come from agricultural practices in our Western domination culture.
There is a deeper partnership approach. That is to find value in the whole spectrum and make pragmatic use of whatever works whether it comes from a domination culture or not.
This, of course, require discernment. Although it requires a bit more work than excluding it all, it works better, is more aligned with reality, and the rewards can be high.
VALUING THE POLARITY AND THE DYNAMICS WITHIN IT
It’s also worth noticing that putting different value judgments on each end of a polarity is common in domination cultures. It’s a way to create the appearances of separation and justify domination: Humans are better than animals. Men are better than women. Whites are better than others. Heterosexuals are better than LGBT+.
If we exclude the value of the domination culture and what comes out of it, we are doing the same. We are joining in with one of the less savory features of domination culture.
A deeper partnership approach is to find value in the polarity as a whole, the dynamics within in, and the roles it seems to play in the larger system.
That doesn’t mean to wholesale adopt what comes from domination culture. It just means to see the value in it, and make use of some of it whenever it makes sense.
VALUING DOMINATION CULTURE
With agriculture came an emphasis on domination culture, and with the domination culture came social hierarchies, kingdoms, elaborate religions, art, science, technology, and everything else that’s part of our civilization.
It’s easy for me to find value in this. I love much of the art, music, architecture, science, and technology that has come with this domination culture – the idea of separation and domination.
I love many of the insights that come with it – the Universe Story, the Epic of Evolution, systems views, integral models.
I love the struggle and dynamic between domination and partnership orientations. It’s a good story that goes as a thread through the recent millennia of human history.
I love identifying and finding alternatives to some of the more detrimental aspects of domination culture. There is an enjoyment there, even if I sometimes also feel frustrated, scared, angry, hopeless, and so on.
MAKING USE OF ELEMENTS FROM DOMINATION CULTURE
We can make use of elements from our modern domination culture within a partnership context.
What are some examples when it comes to growing food?
We can clearly benefit from the science and knowledge that comes out of our Western domination culture. We can benefit from the science of ecosystems, climate, water cycles, plant growth, interactions between plants, soil health and microbiome, and so on.
We can make use of modern testing of water quality, soil health, and so on.
We can use elements from modern agriculture, including drip irrigation, shade cloths (for instance, if the food forest is young), and more.
We can use plants developed for specific purposes, including vetiver which is a hardy non-invasive grass that helps prevent erosion (until other plants are better established).
We can make use of all the approaches developed within and as a response to modern agriculture, including regenerative agriculture, permaculture, syntropic, and agroforestry.
We live in a world created by our domination culture and make use of the internet for connection and information, shipping and transportation, cars, municipal water and electricity, and an endless amount of other things that makes our lives easier and more convenient. This makes it much easier to develop a food forest or other partnership oriented systems for growing food. (While also often being destructive to nature since it’s all part of a system that assumes infinite nature.)
We can make use of frameworks like systems views, integral models, and similar.
We can be inspired by the Universe Story and the Epic of Evolution which comes out of modern science.
EVOLUTION OF THIS LIVING PLANET AND UNIVERSE
This is all part of the evolution of this living planet and universe, and we are temporary and local expressions of this seamless system. Domination and partnership orientations are just two of the many ways that Earth, the Universe, and existence expresses, explores, and experiences itself.
Everything is fleeting so let’s make the most out of what’s here now. And what’s here now is the opportunity – for those of us so inclined – to be consciously aware of ourselves as expressions of these larger systems and a part of the larger creativity of these systems.
Our creativity is a local and temporary expression of the creativity of these larger systems – this living planet, this universe, existence.
We can chose to become conscious participants in this creativity, in the self-exploration of existence, and in working towards a future with an ecologically sound civilization.
If we are able to create that, it will be a stepping stone to things we can’t even imagine.
NOTES
I am aware of the Spiral Dynamics model as I write this, and often like to start at lower levels and move up. In this case, I ended with a bigger-picture view of it all. See below for an AI analysis of the different parts of this text in a Spiral Dynamics context.
The photo is a view from Finca Milagros where we have our regeneration and food forest project.
MORE INFO
I asked ChatGPT 4o for input on this. As usual with these topics, I had to prime it before I got something interesting. See below.
Living in Partnership with the Earth
Embracing the Full Spectrum: A Deep Partnership Approach to Food Growing
Embracing the Full Spectrum of Partnership and Domination
From Domination to Partnership: An Integral Spiral Dynamics Perspective on Food Growing
Living in Partnership with the Earth
The Earth is not just a backdrop for human activity; it is a living, evolving system, expressing itself through countless forms, including us. We are not separate from this vast web of life. We are an integral part of it, as much a part of nature as the trees, rivers, and clouds. What we do to nature, we do to ourselves.
For millennia, human societies have explored different ways of relating to the Earth. At times, we have lived in partnership, recognizing the sacredness and intelligence inherent in nature. At other times, we have approached the Earth with a mindset of domination, treating it as a resource to exploit and control. Both approaches have taught us valuable lessons, but now, we are at a turning point.
The challenges we face—climate change, biodiversity loss, soil degradation—are the Earth speaking to us, offering feedback. These crises are not just problems to solve; they are opportunities for transformation. They invite us to step into a deeper relationship with the living world and align our actions with the rhythms and wisdom of the Earth.
A true partnership with the Earth begins with seeing its systems as alive, intelligent, and interconnected. It means cultivating practices that support life in all its forms, creating regenerative systems that nourish the land, ourselves, and future generations. It is about listening to the Earth’s cycles and learning from its inherent balance.
This partnership is not about returning to the past or rejecting modern innovations. It is about integration—bringing together the wisdom of ancient traditions with the insights of modern science and technology. Indigenous cultures have long understood the sacred reciprocity between humans and the Earth. Their practices of honoring the land and living in balance offer profound guidance. When combined with the tools and knowledge we have today, they open the door to new possibilities.
Imagine a world where we grow food in harmony with the ecosystems around us, where agriculture regenerates the soil and supports diverse life. Imagine cities designed as extensions of the natural world, powered by renewable energy and filled with green spaces that clean the air and water. Imagine economies built on the principles of abundance and reciprocity, where wealth is measured not by extraction but by how much we give back to the systems that sustain us.
This is not just a dream; it is a path already being walked by those who dare to see the Earth not as something to conquer but as something to collaborate with. It requires humility and a willingness to learn. It requires seeing ourselves not as masters of this world but as its caretakers and co-creators.
The Earth is evolving, and we are part of its evolution. Through us, the planet is exploring new ways of being, new expressions of life and consciousness. The question is not whether the Earth will adapt—it always does—but whether we will adapt with it. Will we step into this deeper partnership and align our actions with the wisdom of the living Earth? Will we choose to thrive as part of this vast, interconnected system?
The answer lies not in grand declarations but in the choices we make every day. Each act of care, each decision to regenerate rather than deplete, is a step toward a world where humans and the Earth thrive together. It is an invitation to live as part of a greater whole, one that stretches far beyond ourselves.
Embracing the Full Spectrum: A Deep Partnership Approach to Food Growing
A deep partnership approach does not reject domination outright or idealize partnership in isolation. Instead, it acknowledges that the spectrum between partnership and domination holds valuable lessons and practices from across cultures, systems, and histories. This approach recognizes that excluding or rejecting parts of the spectrum is, in itself, a form of domination, rooted in separation and judgment. True partnership arises from embracing the entire spectrum, integrating what is valuable, and weaving it into practices that honor collaboration, mutual benefit, and interconnection.
Learning From the Full Spectrum in Food Growing
Food growing offers a tangible way to explore the spectrum between partnership and domination. Across history, cultures on every part of this spectrum have developed practices that reflect their relationship with the land, and these practices provide insights we can use to create resilient, life-affirming systems today.
Embracing Partnership-Based Practices
Many traditional and indigenous cultures have cultivated practices grounded in partnership with the Earth. These practices, often developed over centuries, reflect a deep understanding of ecosystems and their interconnectedness:
- Permaculture Principles: Inspired by indigenous knowledge, permaculture emphasizes working with natural processes, such as nutrient cycling and biodiversity, to create regenerative systems.
- Agroforestry and Polyculture: Many cultures have long practiced integrating trees, shrubs, and diverse crops to mimic natural ecosystems and enhance soil and water health.
- Seasonal and Rotational Practices: The cycles of the Earth are honored in traditional methods like crop rotation and fallowing, which allow land to regenerate naturally.
Drawing From Domination-Based Practices
Domination-based systems, often born from a mindset of control and exploitation, have also produced tools, insights, and technologies that can be adapted for sustainable food growing. Recognizing their value allows us to transform them into allies for partnership:
- Modern Agricultural Tools: Precision agriculture, soil sensors, and advanced irrigation systems enable resource efficiency and informed decision-making.
- Scientific Advancements: Innovations in soil biology, plant breeding, and pest management provide knowledge to enhance productivity without harming ecosystems.
- Mechanization and Infrastructure: Machinery and logistics systems, developed in dominance-driven agriculture, can be repurposed to support regenerative practices at scale.
Exclusion Is a Form of Domination
Rejecting any part of the spectrum—whether domination or partnership—reflects a mindset of exclusion and separation, which mirrors domination itself. By excluding, we dismiss valuable knowledge and tools that could enrich our understanding and practices.
For instance, idealizing purely traditional methods without considering advancements from modern agriculture can limit potential. Similarly, clinging solely to technological solutions without learning from nature can lead to ecological harm. A deeper approach to partnership invites us to integrate the strengths of both, moving beyond dualities to create something richer and more holistic.
A Deeper Approach to Partnership
A deeper partnership approach involves:
- Inclusion and Integration: Actively seeking what is of value across cultures, histories, and systems, and incorporating it into practices that serve the whole.
- Humility and Curiosity: Approaching all sources of knowledge—whether rooted in partnership or domination—with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
- Transformation Through Connection: Using what we learn to create systems that reflect collaboration, respect, and mutual flourishing, even when tools and techniques originate from domination-based systems.
Partnership as a Holistic Practice
In food growing, this deeper partnership approach transforms agriculture into a living dialogue between humans, the land, and the broader web of life. It allows us to see farming and gardening not just as acts of production but as expressions of our relationship with the Earth.
By embracing the entire spectrum, we acknowledge the complexity of life and the wisdom embedded in diverse experiences. Partnership becomes not an idealized state but an ongoing process of integration, where we recognize the value in all perspectives and work to co-create systems that support thriving communities, ecosystems, and future generations. This is true partnership: not rejecting but embracing, not dominating but weaving, and not separating but uniting in service to life.
Embracing the Full Spectrum of Partnership and Domination
A deep partnership approach transcends simplistic notions of right and wrong, good and bad. It acknowledges the full spectrum of partnership and domination, recognizing that both hold valuable lessons and tools for building a more harmonious and thriving world. This perspective is deeply pragmatic, drawing from any culture, system, or history—whether rooted in partnership or domination—to find what works. By integrating these diverse elements, it creates a framework that honors life’s complexity, interdependence, and the potential for transformation.
The Wisdom of Inclusion
True partnership is inclusive. It does not reject aspects of domination or partnership but instead seeks to integrate what is valuable across the spectrum. Cultures rooted in domination have developed tools, technologies, and strategies that address specific challenges, just as partnership-oriented cultures have cultivated deep insights into cooperation, community, and harmony with the natural world.
Inclusion recognizes that rejecting or excluding parts of the spectrum is, in itself, an act of domination—an assertion of separation and judgment. Instead, a deep partnership approach embraces the wisdom of both ends of the spectrum and everything in between, creating a more comprehensive and adaptive way of engaging with the world.
Pragmatism Over Ideology
At its core, a deep partnership approach is pragmatic. It asks, “What works?” rather than “What fits an ideal?” This perspective values results over dogma, seeking solutions that enhance life, resilience, and well-being.
- From partnership-oriented cultures, it draws practices that nurture relationships, community, and ecosystems.
- From domination-oriented cultures, it borrows technologies, organizational methods, and innovations that address large-scale challenges.
This pragmatism is not about compromise; it is about synthesis. It’s about weaving together the best of all approaches to create systems that are adaptable, effective, and aligned with life’s inherent complexity.
Moving Beyond Dualities
A deep partnership approach transcends dualistic thinking. It understands that partnership and domination are not fixed categories but parts of a dynamic continuum. Each has its place, depending on the context, scale, and goals. For example:
- Partnership emphasizes mutual benefit, collaboration, and integration, which are essential for thriving ecosystems and communities.
- Domination, when applied thoughtfully, can bring focus, structure, and decisive action, especially in situations requiring strong leadership or rapid response.
Rather than being locked into one mode, this approach adapts fluidly, using the right tool for the right situation.
Integration and Transformation
A deep partnership approach is not about maintaining the status quo. It actively integrates and transforms the elements it draws from, aligning them with a broader vision of flourishing life. For example:
- Tools from domination cultures, such as advanced technologies or hierarchical structures, can be reimagined to serve inclusive and life-affirming goals.
- Insights from partnership cultures, such as decentralized decision-making or holistic thinking, can be scaled to address global challenges.
Through integration, even practices rooted in domination can be transformed into something that supports partnership and collaboration.
A Holistic Vision
This approach reflects a broader vision of life as interconnected and interdependent. It recognizes that cultures, systems, and perspectives are not isolated entities but threads in the tapestry of human and ecological evolution. By embracing the whole spectrum, it honors the diversity of experiences and contributions that have shaped our world.
From this perspective, true partnership is not a state to achieve but an ongoing process of engagement, learning, and integration. It is about constantly seeking balance, adapting to changing circumstances, and aligning with life’s inherent drive for growth and flourishing.
Embodying the Future
A deep partnership approach embodies a future rooted in wisdom, inclusivity, and pragmatism. It looks beyond divisions, recognizing the value in every part of the spectrum, and integrates them into systems that serve the greater whole. This is not about perfection but about progress—about moving toward a world where humanity acts as a conscious participant in the larger web of life.
By embracing the full partnership-domination spectrum, this approach demonstrates a profound respect for life’s complexity and potential. It invites us to step into a role of co-creation, where we use all the tools, insights, and wisdom available to us to build a world that thrives.
From Domination to Partnership: An Integral Spiral Dynamics Perspective on Food Growing
The article “A Deep Partnership Approach to Food Growing: Valuing Domination Culture and Making Use of What Works” explores the evolution of agricultural practices from a domination-oriented approach to a partnership-based methodology. Analyzing this through the lens of Spiral Dynamics, we can identify the progression through various value systems:
Red (Egocentric) Level: Early agricultural societies often exhibited power-driven behaviors, focusing on control over nature to ensure survival and dominance. This is evident in practices that prioritize immediate gains over long-term sustainability.
Amber (Traditional) Level: As societies developed, agriculture became more structured, with established hierarchies and rigid practices. This stage reflects adherence to traditional methods and resistance to change, often leading to monocultures and standardized farming techniques.
Orange (Modern) Level: The industrial revolution introduced a scientific and strategic approach to agriculture, emphasizing efficiency, innovation, and profit maximization. This led to the widespread use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms to boost production.
Green (Pluralistic) Level: A growing awareness of environmental issues and social equity has fostered a holistic view of agriculture. This perspective values sustainability, community involvement, and ecological balance, promoting organic farming and local food movements.
Yellow (Systemic) Level: At this stage, there is an integration of previous insights, recognizing the complexity of agricultural systems. Practitioners adopt flexible and adaptive strategies, utilizing both traditional knowledge and modern technology to create resilient farming practices.
Turquoise (Holistic) Level: The article embodies this level by advocating for a deep partnership with nature, understanding humans as integral parts of the living planet. It emphasizes co-creation with natural systems, valuing both domination and partnership approaches as expressions of the universe’s evolution. This perspective seeks to harmonize agricultural practices with the broader ecological and cosmic context, fostering a symbiotic relationship between humans and the environment.
In summary, the article reflects a turquoise-level consciousness in Spiral Dynamics, promoting an integral approach to agriculture that transcends and includes earlier stages, aiming for a holistic partnership with the Earth’s ecosystems.