| Theorists of capitalist development have often situated the dissolution of the peasantry as the pre-condition for a complete transition to capitalism. Others, however, have noted that in many cases, in both industrialized and post-colonial countries, there remains a peasant sector of agricultural production. Explanations of this co-existence of pre-capitalist forms of production within capitalist economies have focused upon the structural conditions for such a situation, whether as rooted within the nature of agricultural production, the exchange mechanisms of the international economy, or the ability of capitalism to accumulate through pre-capitalist forms of production. This thesis attempts to explain the maintenance of peasant production through an articulation perspective which recognizes the particular development of capitalism within Kenyan history.In doing so, the thesis focuses upon Kenya's historical conditions which have affected the viability of the peasantry, both positively and negatively, starting with the indigenous system of production, continuing through the establishment of colonialism and settler agriculture, and leading to the rise of Kenyan agriculture under the Kenyatta government and its decline under Moi. In addition to this historical explanation, there has also been some provision of descriptive statistics. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
