Agrarian Capitalism, War and Peace in Colombia: Beyond Dispossession

This book explores the connection between land grabbing, agrarian capitalism, and the unfulfilled promises of peace and justice in Colombia. It demonstrates how the widespread belief that violence is a radical form of action obscures the close ties between plunder and lawful profit, and legitimizes post-war inequality in the name of capitalist development. The promotion of radical democracy in the government of land and rural development is the only reasonable path for pacifying a violent polity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 17 June 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the intricate connection between land grabbing and agrarian capitalism, as well as the unfulfilled promises of peace and justice in Colombia. Conducting extensive research since 2009, the author explores the role of violence in shaping the formation of agrarian capitalism, a topic often overlooked in the context of contemporary civil wars. Through a comprehensive analysis of nearly 200 interviews, archival research, and geographical data, the book sheds light on the complex dynamics between armed conflict and economic development.

The book challenges the prevailing belief that violence is a radical form of action that is disconnected from the legal economy and disrupts the normal course of society. Instead, it demonstrates how the intricate ties between armed conflict and economy formation are obscured by this narrow perspective. The author reveals how dispossession, often perceived as diametrically opposed to capitalist accumulation, is closely linked to lawful profit and the free market. This understanding challenges the notion that violent dispossession is a radical departure from the norm and highlights the continuity between violent dispossession and the functioning of the free market.

Furthermore, the book argues that the promotion of radical democracy in the governance of land and rural development emerges as the only reasonable path for pacifying a violent polity. The author emphasizes the need to address the root causes of conflict, including inequality and social exclusion, to promote sustainable peace and development. The book offers valuable insights for students, scholars, and development aid practitioners interested in land and resource grabbing, agrarian capitalism, civil wars, and conflict resolution. It sheds light on the complex dynamics between armed conflict, economic development, and social change, and provides a framework for promoting sustainable peace and justice in societies affected by violence and inequality.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367675707