We need not turn any further than the words of Arundhati Roy (2003) and Frantz Fanon (1963) to gain insight into what most threatens life and dignity on this planet, as well as where the ground is most fertile for decolonisation and widespread transformative change. Whether it be mutually recognising the inherent worth of others, decentralising governance, fostering communities of care, co-creating cultures of dissent, actualising emancipatory politics, decommoditising nature, degrowing the economy, effecting food sovereignty or securing material and psychological wellbeing for all, both Roy (2003) and Fanon (1963) rightfully suggest that we just might have something to learn from peasants in identifying what lies at the roots of structural social problems and global inequalities, as well as how to wisely confront and solve them.

As detailed earlier in the book, one of the greatest threats the world currently faces is neoliberalism. As a refresher, the logic of neoliberalism, which endorses responsibilising (blaming) people for the structural conditions they face, entrepreneurial capitalism and free trade agreements that are, paradoxically, heavily regulated by state officials with corporate conflicts of interest, is made manifest through economic policies that promote privatisation, deregulation and cuts to public spending (Mohanty, 2013). Despite rarely being criticised or even mentioned by state officials and mainstream media, neoliberal programmes, practices and rhetoric continue to give rise to unprecedented levels of poverty, anxiety and anguish. This is true not only for the global economy, but also for the global food system and global health.

In light of increased calls to consider neoliberal capitalism as a significant determinant of human and planetary health (Mair, 2020; Sell and Williams, 2020; Flynn, 2021), our focus in this chapter offers an analysis of the entanglements between the social, political and economic factors that shape health and wellbeing. Drawing from examples in EZLN communiqués, as well as on-the-ground food systems and economic practices, we show how the Zapatista struggles offer viable solutions to the devastation caused by global capitalist modernity.