The African Peasant World as a New Paradigm

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Other Title
  • パラダイムとしての「アフリカ小農世界」
  • パラダイムとしての「アフリカ小農世界」--農林経済学の20世紀のアポリアを超えて
  • パラダイム ト シテノ アフリカ ショウノウ セカイ ノウリン ケイザイガク ノ 20セイキ ノ アポリア オ コエテ
  • Beyond the Aporias of 20th-Century Agricultural and Forestry Economics
  • 農林経済学の20世紀のアポリアを超えて

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Abstract

The purpose of this presentation is to re-evaluate the African peasant world as a new paradigm that can break the impasse in which agricultural and forestry economics is currently mired. The discussion here will focus on two characteristics common to all 20th-century social sciences, including agricultural and forestry economics: (1) the principle of “productivity first”, which is based on the idea of homo economicus; and (2) the state-centered way of thinking.<br>Today, interest in agriculture and rural life is growing rapidly among people all over the world, especially among city dwellers who are keenly interested in food safety and environmental issues. This situation requires that agricultural and forestry economists should formulate new values and ideas. The fact is, however, that most of them are still bound by paradigms of the 20th century: they still cling to the myth of “productivity” and overemphasize the role of the state. Consequently, the gap between the needs of the general public and the interests of agricultural and forestry economists is widening. Thus, in order to fill this gap and to make an actual contribution to society, agricultural and forestry economists must establish a new paradigm that meets the current needs of society.<br>In this context, the African peasant world is worthy of notice. The African peasant world has been always considered as the most backward place on earth. But today it is very important and meaningful to us in that it is one of the few places in the world where the “economy of sharing”, which attaches more importance to social reproduction than to material production, still operates powerfully. In this respect, I believe that the African peasant world will serve as an important frame of reference for agricultural and forestry economists when they try to establish a new paradigm that meets the current needs of society, such as the need for “human development”.

Journal

  • Journal of Rural Problems

    Journal of Rural Problems 42 (4), 330-338, 2007

    The Association for Regional Agricultural and Forestry Economics

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