The Art of Living as a Community: Profiguration, Sustainability, and Social Development in Rapa Nui

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Author presents an interesting sociological approach based on the basic dimensions of economic growth and its poorly understood connection with the development and growth of societies, distancing the economic factor from social welfare. Furthermore, theoretical approaches are very timely to verify the consequences of globalization on a world scale beyond the world-system.

The methodology is correct from a qualitative perspective and appropiate for the analysis of the discourses throughout the life course of the participants in the Rapa Nui research from the profiguration. It is perfectly explained.

Personally, the structure of the conclusions does not seem adequate to me. Its content is very extensive and some elements may be included within the results section. In addition, several hyphens and subsections (a, b, c) are included. I think the conclusions should be more concentrated.

I Consider that the bibliographic references are scarce as well as the links with other similar studies carried out.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 1 Comments

Author presents an interesting sociological approach based on the basic dimensions of economic growth and its poorly understood connection with the development and growth of societies, distancing the economic factor from social welfare. Furthermore, theoretical approaches are very timely to verify the consequences of globalization on a world scale beyond the world-system.

The methodology is correct from a qualitative perspective and appropiate for the analysis of the discourses throughout the life course of the participants in the Rapa Nui research from the profiguration. It is perfectly explained.

Point 1: Personally, the structure of the conclusions does not seem adequate to me. Its content is very extensive and some elements may be included within the results section. In addition, several hyphens and subsections (a, b, c) are included. I think the conclusions should be more concentrated.

Response 1:

I agree, the structure of the conclusions is not adequate and its content is very extensive: 499-522; 534-538; 587-595.

Some elements are included in the results and discussion section (specifically the life course focus section 3.4.): 448-496

Point 2: I Consider that the bibliographic references are scarce as well as the links with other similar studies carried out.

Response 2:

Bibliographic references (other similar studies) increased: 620-622; 625-629.

Rogge, N., Theesfeld, I. and Strassner, C. Social Sustainability through Social Interaction—A National Survey on Community Gardens in Germany. Sustainability 2018, 10(4), 1085. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041085

Jacobi, P. R., Ferraz de Toledo, R., Grandisoli, E. Education, sustainability and social learning. Brazilian Journal of Science and Technology, 2016, 3, 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40552-016-0019-2.

Shaw, A. and Kristjanson, P. A Catalyst toward Sustainability? Exploring Social Learning and Social Differentiation Approaches with the Agricultural Poor. Sustainability 2014, 6(5), 2685-2717; https://doi.org/10.3390/su6052685

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Author,

The article covers an interesting subject area. The concepts are well explained. However, the literature review could be better.
In the theoretical part, there is a lack of information concerning cultural aspects of the region to which the article is devoted. This information can be found in the research part. Nevertheless, a few words of Rapa Nui specificity should be found.
As for the research part, I appreciate the qualitative methodology. Both the observation and the In-Depth Interviews can give us an interesting view of a piece of reality. More information on how to conduct interviews can be included. There's a certain lack of satisfaction here.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 2 Comments

The article covers an interesting subject area. The concepts are well explained. However, the literature review could be better. 
Point 1: In the theoretical part, there is a lack of information concerning cultural aspects of the region to which the article is devoted. This information can be found in the research part. Nevertheless, a few words of Rapa Nui specificity should be found.

Response 1:

I have improved the literature review and added information on cultural aspects of the region to which the article is devoted (Rapa Nui): 30-37; 66-67; 78-82.

Point 2: As for the research part, I appreciate the qualitative methodology. Both the observation and the In-Depth Interviews can give us an interesting view of a piece of reality. More information on how to conduct interviews can be included. There's a certain lack of satisfaction here.

Response 2:

I have included more information regarding the interviews: 101-107.

Reviewer 3 Report

The article it is interesting  but he needs  improvements:

2.Materials and method

The author can redesign the section to be more clear for reader.

• More clear which are the question , the structure of interview, in text the author mention only four, maybe she/he can improve the number and give more details.

3. Results

Can be structure more clear now it is a mix.

4. Conclusion

The author put accent on women so maybe in the text / research must to be a special section for women as a variable taken in consideration.

5. References

Can be improve with actual articles  and increasing the number of references.

Author Response

Response to Reviewer 3 Comments

The article it is interesting but he needs  improvements:

Point 1: Materials and method. The author can redesign the section to be clearer for reader. More clear which are the question, the structure of interview, in text the author mention only four, maybe she/he can improve the number and give more details.

Response 1:

I have specified the main question and the two secondary questions: 86-89In Total there have not been four interviews; There really have been seven interviews. In 2011 I conducted four interviews on the island of Rapa Nui. They were relevant people from the island's politics, economy, education and society (including being male or female and the Council of Elders). I also did observation on the island and research of written documentation. In 2020, due to the circumstances of the pandemic, I have conducted three more interviews, all online. Two people coincide with those interviewed in 2011 and the third person interviewed in 2020 is a person from the Chilean scientific field who has also contrasted the evolution of Rapa Nui: 101-107.

Point 2: Results. Can be structure more clear now it is a mix.

Response 2:

I have structured something clearer in section 3, I have included a last subsection in relation to the life course (3.4.):  156; 318; 448-496.

Point 3: Conclusion. The author put accent on women so maybe in the text / research must to be a special section for women as a variable taken in consideration.

Response 3:

I have also added more clearly in section 3.3. the issue of Women (in relation to gender inequality and violence): 318; 475-476.

Point 4: References. Can be improve with actual articles  and increasing the number of references:

Response 4:

I have incorporated current articles and I have increased the number of references: 620-622; 625-629. 

Rogge, N., Theesfeld, I. and Strassner, C. Social Sustainability through Social Interaction—A National Survey on Community Gardens in Germany. Sustainability 2018, 10(4), 1085. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041085

Jacobi, P. R., Ferraz de Toledo, R., Grandisoli, E. Education, sustainability and social learning. Brazilian Journal of Science and Technology, 2016, 3, 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40552-016-0019-2.

Shaw, A. and Kristjanson, P. A Catalyst toward Sustainability? Exploring Social Learning and Social Differentiation Approaches with the Agricultural Poor. Sustainability 2014, 6(5), 2685-2717; https://doi.org/10.3390/su6052685

Author Response File: Author Response.docx