Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation

This article highlights the continued significance of pre-capitalist formations in shaping the trajectory of economic transition in peripheral regions, even in an era of neo-liberal globalisation. There is a tendency for Marxist scholars to assume the inevitable “dominance” of capitalism over older...

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Main Author: Sugden, Fraser
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Informa UK Limited 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/77502
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author Sugden, Fraser
author_browse Sugden, Fraser
author_facet Sugden, Fraser
author_sort Sugden, Fraser
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description This article highlights the continued significance of pre-capitalist formations in shaping the trajectory of economic transition in peripheral regions, even in an era of neo-liberal globalisation. There is a tendency for Marxist scholars to assume the inevitable “dominance” of capitalism over older modes of production. Using a case study from Nepal's far eastern Tarai, this paper seeks to understand the reproduction of feudal social relations in a region which is both accessible and integrated into regional and global markets. The paper traces the early subordination of indigenous groups to feudalism from the eighteenth century onwards, and the political and ideological processes through which these social relations were reinforced. Through examining the historical role of feudal-colonial alliances, however, the paper notes that pre-capitalist reproduction in Nepal is a dynamic process, actively negotiated and reinforced by the external imperatives of capitalist expansion itself as well as through the entrenched political power of landed classes. Today feudal and capitalist formations co-exist and articulate, with surplus divided between landlords and non-farm employers. Understanding the complex dynamics of feudal or “semi-feudal” reproduction in an era of globalisation is crucial if one is to identify avenues for collective mobilisation against inequitable pre-capitalist and capitalist class relations.
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spelling CGSpace775022025-06-17T08:23:24Z Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation Sugden, Fraser agricultural economics capitalism globalization social participation political aspects feudalism markets land tenure land reform households case studies This article highlights the continued significance of pre-capitalist formations in shaping the trajectory of economic transition in peripheral regions, even in an era of neo-liberal globalisation. There is a tendency for Marxist scholars to assume the inevitable “dominance” of capitalism over older modes of production. Using a case study from Nepal's far eastern Tarai, this paper seeks to understand the reproduction of feudal social relations in a region which is both accessible and integrated into regional and global markets. The paper traces the early subordination of indigenous groups to feudalism from the eighteenth century onwards, and the political and ideological processes through which these social relations were reinforced. Through examining the historical role of feudal-colonial alliances, however, the paper notes that pre-capitalist reproduction in Nepal is a dynamic process, actively negotiated and reinforced by the external imperatives of capitalist expansion itself as well as through the entrenched political power of landed classes. Today feudal and capitalist formations co-exist and articulate, with surplus divided between landlords and non-farm employers. Understanding the complex dynamics of feudal or “semi-feudal” reproduction in an era of globalisation is crucial if one is to identify avenues for collective mobilisation against inequitable pre-capitalist and capitalist class relations. 2013-08 2016-11-01T13:39:34Z 2016-11-01T13:39:34Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/77502 en Open Access Informa UK Limited Sugden, Fraser. 2013. Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 43(3):519-545. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/00472336.2013.763494
spellingShingle agricultural economics
capitalism
globalization
social participation
political aspects
feudalism
markets
land tenure
land reform
households
case studies
Sugden, Fraser
Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation
title Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation
title_full Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation
title_fullStr Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation
title_full_unstemmed Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation
title_short Pre-capitalist reproduction on the Nepal Tarai: semi-feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation
title_sort pre capitalist reproduction on the nepal tarai semi feudal agriculture in an era of globalisation
topic agricultural economics
capitalism
globalization
social participation
political aspects
feudalism
markets
land tenure
land reform
households
case studies
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/77502
work_keys_str_mv AT sugdenfraser precapitalistreproductiononthenepaltaraisemifeudalagricultureinaneraofglobalisation