Plantation Life: Corporate Occupation in Indonesia's Oil Palm Zone

Tania Murray Li and Pujo Semedi examine the structure and governance of Indonesia's contemporary oil palm plantations, highlighting the exploitative nature of plantation life and the dominance of corporations in the palm oil industry. They argue that corporate occupation replicates colonial-style relations and undermines citizenship, questioning the assumption that corporations are necessary for rural development.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 17 December 2021
Publisher: Duke University Press

In their insightful book, "Plantation Life," Tania Murray Li and Pujo Semedi delve into the intricate structure and governance of Indonesia's contemporary oil palm plantations, which play a pivotal role in supplying 50 percent of the world's palm oil. Their examination uncovers the exploitative nature of plantation life, where the well-being of villagers is often sacrificed in the pursuit of economic development. Despite the challenges faced by plantations, including ruined ecologies, worker injuries, and the devastating loss of livelihoods for former landholders, small-scale independent farmers emerge as a more efficient and sustainable alternative. Li and Semedi introduce the concept of "corporate occupation" to highlight how massive forms of capitalist production and control over the palm oil industry perpetuate colonial-style relations that undermine citizenship. They challenge the notion that corporations are essential for rural development, arguing that the dominance of plantations stems from a political system that privileges corporations. Through their comprehensive analysis, "Plantation Life" sheds light on the complex dynamics between corporate power, rural communities, and the global palm oil industry, offering valuable insights into the ongoing struggles for social justice and sustainable development.

In their insightful book, "Plantation Life," Tania Murray Li and Pujo Semedi delve into the intricate structure and governance of Indonesia's contemporary oil palm plantations, which play a pivotal role in supplying 50 percent of the world's palm oil. Their examination uncovers the exploitative nature of plantation life, where the well-being of villagers is often sacrificed in the pursuit of economic development. Despite the challenges faced by plantations, including ruined ecologies, worker injuries, and the devastating loss of livelihoods for former landholders, small-scale independent farmers emerge as a more efficient and sustainable alternative. Li and Semedi introduce the concept of "corporate occupation" to highlight how massive forms of capitalist production and control over the palm oil industry perpetuate colonial-style relations that undermine citizenship. They challenge the notion that corporations are essential for rural development, arguing that the dominance of plantations stems from a political system that privileges corporations. Through their comprehensive analysis, "Plantation Life" sheds light on the complex dynamics between corporate power, rural communities, and the global palm oil industry, offering valuable insights into the ongoing struggles for social justice and sustainable development.

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 176 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478014959