The concept of ‘‘depeasantisation’’ is associated with :

The correct answer is - Vladimir Lenin

Key Points

• Depeasantisation refers to the process where small-scale peasants lose their land and livelihoods, often leading to their transformation into wage laborers or urban workers.
• Vladimir Lenin discussed depeasantisation extensively in his analysis of capitalism's impact on rural economies.
  • He argued that under capitalism, the rural peasantry is divided into two classes: prosperous peasants (kulaks) and impoverished peasants.
  • This process is integral to the transition from feudalism to capitalism, as small-scale farmers are unable to compete with large, mechanized farms.
• Lenin viewed depeasantisation as a necessary step in the evolution of capitalism, leading to the proletarianization of rural populations.
• His works, such as "The Development of Capitalism in Russia", provide a detailed analysis of depeasantisation in the context of early 20th-century Russia.

Additional Information

• Related Thinkers and Concepts
  • Karl Marx: Focused on the dynamics of class struggle and the transition from feudalism to capitalism but did not specifically coin or develop the concept of depeasantisation.
  • Alexander Chayanov: Known for his theory of the peasant economy, which emphasized that peasants operate differently from capitalist entrepreneurs and resist depeasantisation through subsistence farming.
  • Friedrich Engels: Collaborated with Marx on theories of class struggle but was less focused on rural dynamics compared to Lenin.
• Contemporary Relevance
  • Depeasantisation continues to be relevant today, particularly in discussions about globalization, agrarian reform, and rural-urban migration.
  • It is often linked to the rise of agribusiness and the displacement of small farmers in developing economies.
• Key Texts
  • Lenin's "The Development of Capitalism in Russia" provides critical insights into how capitalism transforms rural societies.
  • Chayanov's works, such as "The Theory of Peasant Economy", provide an alternative perspective on peasant resilience.