DOCSLIB.ORG

University Microfilms International

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
University Microfilms International University Microfilms International Li |26 1.0 Li lit 132 |Z 2 iu tu Uk L<o 12.0 l.l ll£ 1.25 1.4 III 1.6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIAL lOICta (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 2) University Microfilms Inc 300 N Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106 INFORMATION TO USERS This reproduction was made from a copy of a manuscript sent to us for publication and microfilming. While the most advanced technology has been used to pho­ tograph and reproduce this manuscript, the quality of the reproduction is heavily dependent upon the quality of the material submitted. Pages In any manuscript may have indistinct print. In all cases the best available copy has been filmed. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help clarify notations which may appear on this reproduction. 1. Manuscripts may not always be complete. When it is not possible to obtain missing pages, a note appears to indicate this. 2. When copyrighted materials are removed from the manuscript, a note ap­ pears to indicate this. 3. Oversize materials (maps, drawings, and charts) are photographed by sec­ tioning the original, beginning at the upper left hand comer and continu­ ing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each oversize page is also filmed as one exposure and is available, for an additional charge, as a standard 35mm slide or in black and white paper format.* 4. Most photographs reproduce acceptably on positive microfilm or micro­ fiche but lack clarity on xerographic copies made from the microfilm. For an additional charge, all photographs are available in black and white standard 35mm slide format. * *For more information about black and white slides or enlarged paper reproductions, please contact the Dissertations Customer Services Department University Microfilms International 8612423 Wimberley, Dale W. MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS, FOREIGN AID, AND BASIC NEEDS SATISFACTION IN THE WORLD-SYSTEM: A CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY The Ohio State University Ph.D. 1986 University Microfilms International300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 46106 Copyright 1986 by Wimberley, Dale W. All Rights Reserved PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark V . 1. Glossy photographs or _____pages 2. Colored illustrations, paper or ______print 3. Photographs with dark background_____ 4. Illustrations are poor copy______ 5. Pages with black marks, not original ______copy 6. Print shows through as there is text on both sides_______ of page 7. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages 8. Print exceeds margin requirements______ 9. Tightly bound copy with print lost in_______ spine 10. Computer printout pages with indistinct______ print 11. Page(s)___________lacking when material received, and not available from school or author. 12. Page(s)___________seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows. 13. Two pages num bered . Text follows. 14. Curling and wrinkled pages______ 15. Dissertation contains pages with print at a slant, filmed as received_________ 16. Other_______________________________________________________________________ University Microfilms International MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS, FOREIGN AID, AMD BASIC HEEDS SATISFACTION IN THE WORLD-SYSTEM: A CROSS-MATIOEAL STUDY DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University *y Dale W. Vimberley, B.A., M.A. * * * * * The Ohio State University 1986 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Katherine Meyer William L. FI inn Adviser William Form Department of Sociology Copyright by Dale W. Wimberley 1986 i the memory John Seidle PREFACE When I applied for admission to the Graduate School at Ohio State seven years ago, 1 was asked to describe my career goals* What did I intend to do with a graduate degree? My response was, in part, that I wanted to make significant contributions both to basic knowledge in the academic sphere and to the betterment of the world beyond the campus. This dissertation, which focuses on explanations of variation in development in the form of satisfaction of basic human needs — e.g., health, nutrition, and basic education — in the underdeveloped world, represents the initiation of a research agenda which pursues both these goals. Third World development in general has attracted much attention in sociology in recent years and is closely linked to issues that have occupied the discipline since its inception in the nineteenth century (e.g., social change and social inequality). But development is much more than a matter of academic concern. Most of the world's people live in the Third World, and most of these people are quite poor. Other than the threat of nuclear war, there is no more important issue for humankind today than the intolerable conditions of life faced by the majority of the population of the underdeveloped countries. The causal models of basic needs satisfaction tested in this quantitative cross-national study are rooted largely in the dependency and world-system perspectives. These theories claim that underdevelopment is the outcome of links underdeveloped areas have with iii developed areas. A number of cross-national studieB based on these perspectives have been published over the last decade, but these have tended to focus on development in the form of economic growth and income inequality, virtually ignoring basic needs performance. Despite the importance of these aspects of development, they do not strike at the heart of underdevelopment as does basic needs satisfaction. In my mind, the term "development" ultimately implies an improvement in the quality of life of the inhabitants of the Third World, for the poor quality of these lives is the single most important problem of the underdeveloped world. The initial goal of development should be to raise all people to some acceptable minimum level of basic needs satisfaction. Development — essentially the dependent variable of this research — is therefore jf interest primarily because of its mortal significance for a vast number of human beings. Thus, this study, while it attempts to meet very rigorous standards of scientific research procedure, does not attempt to be "value-free research"; the formulation of the research problem itself is explicitly rooted in the values discussed here. The major purpose of conducting this research is to better inform efforts to improve the satisfaction of basic needs in the Third World. Any scholarly work reflects contributions by many individuals whose names do not appear on the title page. At the risk of inadvertantly omitting someone, and without holding anyone listed accountable for the outcome, I gratefully acknowledge those who have aided me in the production of this study. Those with whom I have had fruitful discussions about this research include Eddy ("E. Helen") Berry, Bob Jiobu, Doo-Sik Kim, Dave Neal, end Ron Wimberley. I want to express particular appreciation to Suzanne Vaughan, who had the misfortune to have a desk next to mine throughout much of the period this research was in process and who took time to discuss various catastrophes that occurred along the way (often as they rolled off the computer) . Nathan Keyfitz and Krishnan Namboodiri provided invaluable advice on calculation of one of the dependent variables. Dick Haller of the OSU Sociology Research Lab helped me through several computer-related problems. Brenda Phillips and Linda Reif gave me important assistance in obtaining portions the data. Several others made major efforts to assist me in obtaining and using data sets which 1 ultimately had to exclude from this project: Brian Pollins of the OSU Department of Political Science, John Jenkins of the OSU Polimetrics Laboratory, and David Good of the Harvard Business School's Division of Computer Services. I especially want to thank the members of my committee. As always, Bill Form played the useful role of devil's advocate, and he brought to his reading and criticism of this study his long experience in comparative research. Bill Flinn and Kay Meyer acted as co-advisers. Kay stepped into the vacancy left on the committee by John Seidler’s death (on which more below) and gave indispensable advice on all parts of the study. Similarly, Bill Flinn provided valuable input from the outset of this project. Bill also helped me through many of the less intellectual yet crucial aspects of graduate school; frankly, 1 am not sure that I would have completed a Ph.D. had it not been for his efforts . v I also wish to gratefully acknowledge two sources of material support for the research reported in this volume. A portion of the cost of this project was covered by an OSU Graduate Student Alumni Research Award. Ohio State's Instruction and Research Computer Center provided the computing funds for the statistical analysis. However, neither The Ohio State University, any of its parts, nor the various organizations (cited in the text) which published the data used here bear any responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented in this dissertation. Several people in particular deserve mention for their contributions to my graduate career in general* Bill Conway and Gary Stokley nurtured my early interests in sociology and played major roles in my decision to pursue graduate studies in this discipline. Exactly ten years ago, Bill Conway taught the first course I took in sociology. He also taught a course focusing on Third World development in which 1 first formally pursued the interests that culminated in this dissertation* To Gary Stokley I owe my first (and a very positive) direct encounter with social research. Ron Wimberley provided me with important direction during the decisive period when 1 decided to do graduate work in sociology, and he has continued to give valuable advice (though I have not always followed it) throughout my graduate career* Jerry Pankhurst, Kent Schwirian, and Clyde Franklin played various major roles in my progress from first-year graduate student to ABD.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict, and Class Struggle: a Critical Analysis of Mainstream and Marxist Theories of Nationalism and National Movements
    NATIONALISM, ETHNIC CONFLICT, AND CLASS STRUGGLE: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF MAINSTREAM AND MARXIST THEORIES OF NATIONALISM AND NATIONAL MOVEMENTS Berch Berberoglu Department of Sociology University of Nevada, Reno Introduction The resurgence of nationalism and ethnonationalist con ict in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union and its associated Eastern European states in their transition from a form of socialism to a market- oriented direction led by bourgeois forces allied with world capitalism during the decade of the 1990s, has prompted a new round of discus- sion and debate on the origins and development of nationalism and the nation-state that has implications for contemporary nationalism and nationalist movements in the world today. This discussion and debate has been framed within the context of classical and contemporary social theory addressing the nature and role of the state and nation, as well as class and ethnicity, in an attempt to understand the relationship between these phenomena as part of an analysis of the development and transformation of society and social relations in the late twentieth century. This paper provides a critical analysis of classical and contemporary mainstream and Marxist theories of the nation, nationalism, and eth- nic con ict. After an examination of select classical bourgeois statements on the nature of the nation and nationalism, I provide a critique of contemporary bourgeois and neo-Marxist formulations and adopt a class analysis approach informed by historical materialism to explain the class nature and dynamics of nationalism and ethnonational con ict. Critical Sociology 26,3 206 berch berberoglu Mainstream Theories of the Nation and Nationalism Conventional social theories on the nature and sources of national- ism and ethnic con ict cover a time span encompassing classical to con- temporary statements that provide a conservative perspective to the analysis of ethnonational phenomena that have taken center stage in the late twentieth century.
    [Show full text]
  • Neomarxism and Inequality
    31º Encontro Anual da ANPOCS, de 22 a 26 de outubro de 2007, Caxambu, MG ST 33: Teoria Social: a atualidade brasileira Neomarxism and Inequality Manuela Boatc ă, Ph.D. Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany (KU) / IUPERJ, Brazil 2 Introduction From among many Neo-Marxist approaches, several strands of dependency theory as well as the more recent world-systems analysis have tackled the issue of social inequality as one to be analyzed on a global level, thus viewing class struggle as a conflict between bourgeois and proletarian areas in the world-economy (rather than social strata within a state). Consequently, they have been among the first ap- proaches to radically critique classical notions of social inequality, by insisting that the nation-state was not the appropriate unit of analysis at which inequality relations are shaped. However, both perspectives have struggled with their marginal position within mainstream social theory and were thus unable to permanently influence the theorization of social inequality. Recent strands of postcolonial theory, especially the so-called Latin American modernity/coloniality perspective, have best incorporated the correctives formulated by the two neo-Marxist perspectives. The paper argues that the creative synthesis between postcolonial social theory on the one hand, and dependency and world-systems analysis on the other repre- sents one of the most promising models for assessing global inequality – both struc- turally and historically. To this end, I focus on the impact which the replacement of the standard conceptualization of inequality as social difference – largely premised on a class structure in a national context, with the one of colonial difference – cen- tered on the reorganization of differentiation criteria along racial and ethnic lines in European colonies as part of the inequality structure of the modern colonial world- system – exerts on the scope of theories of social inequality.
    [Show full text]
  • The New Bourgeoisie and Its Pseudo-Elite in the Societies of Peripheral Capitalism (A Sketch for a Sociological Portrait) Udc 316.62(497.16)
    FACTA UNIVERSITATIS Series: Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology and History Vol. 9, No1, 2010, pp. 1 - 13 THE NEW BOURGEOISIE AND ITS PSEUDO-ELITE IN THE SOCIETIES OF PERIPHERAL CAPITALISM (A SKETCH FOR A SOCIOLOGICAL PORTRAIT) UDC 316.62(497.16) Ljubiša Mitrović University of Niš, Faculty of Philosophy, Serbia E-mail: [email protected] Abstract. The paper analyses the changes in the class structure of the post-socialist societies under the influence of the neoliberal development strategy and the restauration of peripheral capitalism. It especially focuses on the changes that have taken place in the very composition of the ruling neobourgeois class, of its fractions and elites. In particular, it analyses the social profile of the comprador bourgeoise and its political elites, as well as the detrimental effect they have on the future and the development of the Balkan societies. Through uncritical acceptance of the neoliberal strategy of dependent modernization and obediance to their Western mentors, the satellite pseudo-elites have contributed more to the processes of destruction than those of creation. They have brought about the peripherization of economy, society and culture and have pushed Serbia and the Balkans into the zone of peripheral capitalism. The paper explores the social position and the role of the given groups in the social structure, in the system of the division of social power and in the current social changes in Serbia and the Balkans. It also compares the changes in the class structure that have occurred in the Balkan societies to those that have taken place in Latin America and Asia, pointing thereby to the relevant similarities and differences.
    [Show full text]
  • Anthony Brewer, Marxist Theories of Imperialism: a Critical Survey
    Marxist Theories of Imperialism A Critical Survey This seminal account of Marxist theories of imperialism is now appearing in a revised and expanded edition. Covering figures as diverse as Hobson, Luxembourg, Hilferding, Bukharin, Lenin, Frank, Wallerstein, Emmanuel and Warren, as well as Marx himself, it analyses how Marxists have accounted for the role of imperialism in the spread of world capitalism. Marx had expected the spread of capitalism to lead to full capitalist development everywhere (unless anticipated by socialist revolution), while Lenin and his contemporaries concentrated on the role of monopoly and inter-imperialist rivalry. More recently, the focus of theory has shifted to the explanation of underdevelopment, which has prompted a renaissance of Marxist thought. This book provides a clear guide to this important body of theory, establishing how the competing theories relate to each other and assessing them in terms of their logical coherence and their relevance to real problems. Anthony Brewer is senior lecturer in Economics at the University of Bristol. He is the author of A Guide to Marx’s Capital, 1984, and of a number of articles in learned journals. Marxist Theories of Imperialism A Critical Survey Second Edition Anthony Brewer London and New York First published 1980 by Routledge & Kegan Paul This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2001. Second edition 1990 © 1980, 1990 Anthony Brewer All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
    [Show full text]
  • Bipan Chandra, Editor, the Indian Left: Critica/ Appraisa!S, New Delhi, 1983
    Hitotsubashi Journal of Social Studies 21 (1989) 23-59. C The Hitotsubashi Academy ASPECTS OF THE TRANSFORMATION PERIOD IN THE MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY WORLD BlpAN CHANDRA This paper deals with aspects of transformation during the transition from colonial to post-colonial societies. Most post-colonial societies set out to achieve an independent industrial economy. The question that has been raised, both theoretically and empirically, has been : can an ex-colony whose economy and society were integrated into the world cap- italist economy in a subordinate position develop an independent economy, especially on the basis of capitalism? This paper tries to deal wlth this question with special reference to India. I Among the Marxists, the most widely held assumption since the 6th Congress of the Comintern in 1928-and more recently since the works of Paul Baran and Andre Gunder Frank-has been that no independent economic development in an ex-colony is possible unless it makes a complete break with the world capitalist system and goes over to socialism. On the contrary, so long as it remains capitalist its economic, social and political subordina- tion or dependence would not only be reproduced but would become stronger and more thorough after national (political) Iiberation. In fact, the more capitalism develops and penetrates society, the more its underdevelopment. In particular, the bourgeoisie of an ex-colony following the capitalist path is incapable of undertaking the task of independent development. Such is the logic of the accumulation of capital on a world scale. At the very outset, one must acknowledge with gratitude the pioneering role of the Comintern and Paul Baran and Andre Gunder Frank and later of Samir Amin in open- ing up and analyzing the phenomena of colonialism and underdevelopment in colonial and semi-colonial countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Underdevelopment and State Capitalism: a Cross-National Study
    Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Dissertations Graduate College 8-1984 Underdevelopment and State Capitalism: A Cross-National Study Massoud Chalabi Western Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations Part of the Sociology Commons Recommended Citation Chalabi, Massoud, "Underdevelopment and State Capitalism: A Cross-National Study" (1984). Dissertations. 2383. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/2383 This Dissertation-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND STATE CAPITALISM: A CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY by Massoud Chalabi A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Sociology Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan August 1984 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND STATE CAPITALISM: A CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY Massoud Chalabi, Ph.D. Western Michigan University, 1984 This is an inquiry into the nature and developmental role of state capitalism (SC) in the Third World. In an effort to enhance understanding of the problem of underdevelopment in general and to gain understanding of state capitalism in particular, contributions and limitations of basic theories of development were examined via a positive critique. State capitalism, as a political movement under the political leadership of middle classes, is a response to the structural crisis and chronic crisis of authority to which misborn capitalism has been facing in the Third World since its emergence.
    [Show full text]
  • INFORMATION to USERS the Most Advanced Technology Has Been Used to Photo­ Graph and Reproduce This Manuscript from the Microfilm Master
    INFORMATION TO USERS The most advanced technology has been used to photo­ graph and reproduce this manuscript from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are re­ produced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. These are also available as one exposure on a standard 35mm slide or as a 17" x 23" black and white photographic print for an additional charge. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Nu m b e r 8907215 Biotechnology research in Nigeria: A socioeconomic analysis of the organization of agricultural research system’s response to biotechnology Duru, Godwin Chukwunenye, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • THE HISTORY and the CURRENT STATUS of the ELN by KRISTIN
    THE HISTORY AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE ELN By KRISTIN JAN WETHERHOLT A capstone submitted to the Graduate School – Camden Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Master of Arts Graduate Program in Liberal Studies Written under the direction of R. Brian Ferguson And approved by _______________________________ R. Brian Ferguson, Capstone Director Camden, New Jersey May 2019 CAPSTONE ABSTRACT The History and the Current Status of the ELN By KRISTIN JAN WETHERHOLT R. Brian Ferguson Capstone Director This examination of both the history of the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) and its current trajectory is not just essential in terms of the potential for any peace process in Colombia, but also for potential regional and international security issues. This includes a history of the ELN, including its primary influences, from its inception as a Marxist/Maoist group inspired by the Cuban Revolution, its leaders trained in Cuba by Fidel and Raul Castro and Che Guevara; the combination of such Marxist/Maoist philosophy with liberation theology; its status as a non-state actor and combatant, including its background and strategic use of what Western military and policy describe as asymmetric/low-intensity/Gen 4 methodology to conduct its operations; and last but not least, its current trajectory and inherent interests as not just the last remaining Colombian guerrilla group without a peace process as of April 2019, but increasingly something much more dangerous: a force that in actuality has become, under the proverbial radar during the FARC peace process and the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis, a “Colombo-Venezuelan rebel army” that complicates not just Venezuelan-Colombian relations, but overall security across the northern half of South America.
    [Show full text]
  • Print This Article
    Austral: Brazilian Journal of Strategy & International Relations e-ISSN 2238-6912 | ISSN 2238-6262| v.5, n.9, Jan./Jun. 2016 | p.74-112 OLIGARCHICAL RESTORATION AND FULL NEOLIBERALISM RELOADED: AN ESSAY ON THE ROOTS OF THE TWIN CRISES AND THE 2016 COUP D’ETAT IN BRAZIL Marcelo Milan1 Introduction Brazil experienced a short period of moderate growth of commodity production, low unemployment rates, rising real wages, and better functional income distribution from 2004 to 2011, briefly interrupted only by the global capitalist crisis in 2008-2009 (Amann and Baer 2012, Hallak Neto and Saboia 2014). This performance drew international attention to the country, which appeared, along with China, India, and other rapid growing underdeveloped economies, poised to become an important economic powerhouse in the world capitalist economy. Starting in 2012, however, the Brazilian economy has resumed a long-run trend of economic stagnation started in the 1980s, with years of moderate growth rates interspersed with periods of low growth or stagnation and recessions. This led to the adoption of neoliberal economic measures, making the situation even worse (Serrano and Summa 2015). Regarding the political arena, the country enjoyed a somewhat longer period (for Brazilian standards) of uneasy and relative political stability since the impeachment of president Fernando Collor de Mello in 1992 (De la Fon- taine and Stehnken 2016). The 1988 Constitution seemed to be a political institution anchoring social interactions and allowing for some restricted de- mocracy, at least electoral democracy, despite the interruption of Collor de Mello’s mandate being based on political vendetta by other oligarchs like him 1 Assistant professor of the undergraduate program in Economics and International Relations and of the graduate programs in Economics and in International Strategic Studies at the School of Economic Sciences of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.
    [Show full text]
  • Sociology of Southeast Asia Is Long Overdue
    KING One of the main problems faced by teachers and students who have a scholarly interest in Southeast Asia is the lack of general, user-friendly texts in the social sciences. A single-authored, integrated introductory volume on the sociology of Southeast Asia is long overdue. This book is the first of its kind. It focuses on the sociology of change and development THE SOCIOLOGY OF SOUTHEAST ASIA in the region and provides an overview of the important sociological and political economy writings. In particular it considers the key concepts and themes in the field since 1945. Aimed primarily at undergraduates up to the final year, it is also a valuable reference work for postgraduates and researchers who lack such a general book. In examining social processes historically and comparatively it refers back to the classic writings in European sociology and locates local-level issues and processes in the context of more general political, economic and cultural transformations, and in relation to theories of modernization, underdevelopment and globaliza- tion. The major themes covered include the colonial THE encounter, social class, status and the state, ethnicity and identity, patronage and corruption, gender and SOCIOLOGY OF work, urbanization and Asian values. ‘Victor King has produced a lucid, comprehensive SOUTHEAST ASIA and challenging analysis of the state-of-the-art of Southeast Asian sociology. The book is not only an Transformations in a Developing Region excellent text book for courses on Southeast Asia or development sociology, but also “required reading” for all social scientists embarking on research on the area. I am certain it will become a long-lasting Victor T.
    [Show full text]
  • Marxism and Underdevelopment the Modes Of
    MARXISM AND UNDERDEVELOPMENT THE MODES OF PRODUCTION DEBATE Sut Jhally There can be little doubt now, in any circles, as to the complete inadequacy of the development perspective that rose to prominence in the 1950's under the title of the "modernisation" approach and which found its main apologists in American social science (see the critique by Frank, 1970). The events of the 1970' s (Latin America, Vietnam, Angola, Rhodesia, Iran, Chile) have illustrated the importance of Marxist analysis, and its use as the ideological base of liberation movements. But increasingly, as more and more work has been produced on this particular subject so it .-as become clear that it is impossible any longer to talk of a single Marxist perspective on the issue of under- development and imperialism (see Foster-Carter, 1973). Beginning with the Frank/Laclau debate in the 1960's Marxist theory has been increasingly divided within itself as to developing a coherent and practically useful paradigm. What this paper will attempt to do is to review the main body of literature that has grown up around the central theme of 'mode of production' and the process of transition between different modes, and will tentatively suggest future lines of analysis that could prove useful. In particular we will look at the work of Frank, Laclau, Rey and Dupre, Banaji and Hamza Alavi and suggest that the latter's approach is the most convincing. To apply the main features of the debate to contemporary underdevelopment we will argue that we need to reintegrate discussion in terms of a true Marxist social formation that is a complex unity, combining relations of exploitation, relations of production, circulation, distribution, reproduction and other elements of the traditionally economic side of mode of production.
    [Show full text]
  • Reading Capital Politically
    I Introduction In this book I re-examine Karl Marx’s analysis of value through a detailed study of Chapter One of Volume I of Capital. The object of this study is to bring out the political usefulness of the analysis of value by situating the abstract concepts of Chapter One within Marx’s overall analysis of the class struggles of capitalist society. I intend to return to what I believe was Marx’s original purpose: he wrote Capital to put a weapon in the hands of workers. In it he presented a detailed analysis of the fundamental dynamics of the struggles between the capitalist and the working classes.1 By reading Capital as a political document, workers could study in depth the various ways in which the capitalist class sought to dominate them as well as the methods they themselves used to struggle against that domination. During the last half-century, however, not only has Capital very rarely been read in this manner but it also has been largely neglected. It is not much of an exaggeration to say that, despite Capital’s world-wide reputation and quasi-religious status in the socialist world, its serious study has been a rare and isolated phenomenon in both East and West. Many have spoken of it, but few have really studied it. When it has been read, more often than not, it has been treated by Marxists of various persuasions as a work of political economy, of economic history, of sociology, or even of philosophy. Thus it has been an object of academic study rather than a political tool.
    [Show full text]