Peasant Classes and Social Structure in Bangladesh part-1

1. Peasant Classes and Social Structure in Bangladesh part-1 Course name: Peasant Society, SOC 405 Dr. KaziAbdurRouf Post Doctoral Fellow York University, Canada Visiting Associate Professor University of Chittagong And Associate Professor Noble International University , USA

2. Peasant Classes and Social Structure in Bangladesh Topics to be covered Purpose of Study Peasant Class Changing Class System and Mohajons, Land Slaves and Land Lords Feudal agricultural system and emergence of capitalism Lenin and Mao Themes Lenin Six Classes in Capitalist Agriculture Society Mao SatungFive Category Classes in China Agriculture Society Peasant Class Classification in Indian Context Agriculture Structure in Rural Bangladesh Peasants Classification Other than Lands Peasants Classification Based on Multiple Criteria WesterGard Peasant Classification Peasant Classification based on Surplus Production and Labor Exploitation Eric Yensen Peasant Classifications Eric Yensen Peasant Classifications based on Land Ownership AnowarullahChoudhury Peasant Classifications

3. Peasant Classes and Social Structure in Bangladesh Topics to be covered continue-2 Social Stratification Based on Religion/Religious Traditions Khandan class (Anowarullah) Bangladesh Agriculture and its Structural Dynamism and their main Focus Inequality among Peasants Social Polarization Process in Capitalist Society BattaChargi Class Classification ToddorShanin Phenomenon Shanin Theory Reasons of Social Dynamics in Peasant Society Substantive (Basic) Change Shanin theory in Bangladesh context WesterGard observation in Bangladesh Context

4. Purpose of Study Peasant Class Class system is very important in peasant social structure analysis in Bangladesh Class system is discussed for two purposes: Class structure is changing as well as peasant society structure is changing in Bangladesh The term social class is related with Karl Marx theory He analyzed class system from historical materialism perspective He uses historical production elements to understand agriculture social structure

5. Changing Class System and Mohajons, Land Slaves and Land Lords Class system change: Class system is changing with the change of agricultural production relationships For example, in pre-capitalist society (slavery system, feudalism) there exist peasants, land –slaves and land-lords. They are the main features of agricultural and land tenure system Slavery existed in society before emerging marginal peasants in feudal society Through credit system, marginal peasants become agricultural slaves emerged in pre-industrial society

6. Feudal agricultural system and emergence of capitalism Mohajons, land slaves and land lords emerged with the importance of feudal agricultural system A new class system has developed with the emergence of capitalism Labor become commodity, expansion of markets and abolition of feudalism are the main components of capitalistic society Landless people evolved in this new social structure Landless people sell their labor in society for their livelihood Rich farmers emerged who are involved in agriculture production produced for markets Capitals are accumulating in the hands of land lords

7. Feudal Agricultural System and Emergence of Capitalism continue-2 However, Marx did not mention where the location of marginal peasants is and middle class peasants exists in the society or in new agricultural society Kawisky says, “Centralization of means of production is the main character of capitalism, but in case of land, it is different because lands are sparsely located and fragmented Backward agricultural sector become problematic in capitalistic society.

8. Lenin and Mao Themes Lenin and Mao critically observe and analyze capitalism and agricultural social structure Capitalistic relationship developed before Russian revolution. Lenin examines this new emerging agricultural production structure UtshaPatnayek analyzes Lenin and Mao agricultural phenomenon. He studies social structure of Russia and China. Patnayek says,” The map of Lenin represent advanced agriculture structure, but Mao thesis is applicable to understand capitalistic structure

9. Lenin Six Classes in Capitalist Agriculture Society Lenin mentions six classes in capitalist agriculture structure Landless Semi-landless (very poor) Small peasants Middle-class peasants Rich farmers land lord exploiters Lenin map has logic of capitalism in Russia agriculture Capitalist farming is applicable there However, India and China is comparatively less progressive in modern agriculture during 1920s, 1930s then Russia

10. Lenin Six Classes in Capitalist Agriculture Society continue-2 Many labor work in non-capitalistic farms in India and China. Here many labors unemployed for many days in a year According to Pat Nayek landless family is not asset less (proletariat) The process of landless is called pauperization, but it is not applicable to Lenin proletariat. Limited working opportunity in many farms in non-capitalistic society creates landless can be called pauperization

11. Mao Satung five Category Classes in China Agriculture Society Pat Naek emphasizes on to understand agriculture class structure and analysis of Mao Satung Mao Satung classifies classes into five categories: labor class, poor peasant, middle class peasant, rich peasant and land lords. There is a difference between Lenin class classification and Mao class classification Lenin calls proletariats those are at the bottom of the society, but Mao calls them labors

12. Mao Satung five Category Classes in China Agriculture Society continue-2 Peasant and semi-peasant are two classes but Mao says, “They are one class poor peasant Mao says, ”Land lord peasants are those people who are at the top class” However, Lenin says, “Capitalist or such kind of peasant landlord survive by exploiting by imposing and collecting land tax. Here capitalism tendency is absent. “

13. Peasant Class Classification in Indian Context Indian sociologist and economist put contribution to Indian agriculture system analysis. Ram KrishanaMukhrjee, Daniel Throner, Utshe Pat Nayek are prominent researchers Mukharjee studied six villages in Bogra six decades ago He divided peasants into five classes: Jotdar, rich peasant, Rayot, unproductive land owner and Rayot sharecropper Throner mentions three classes: land owners, peasants and labors

14. Peasant class classification in Indian Context continue-2 Pat Nayak divided peasants based on land ownerships using Indian survey data Some lands are fertile and some are not. So class categories are not fair according to land ownership Pat Nayek class divisions are: Land lord, rich peasant, middle class peasant, small peasant, poor peasant, ad and less labor.

15. Agriculture Structure in Rural Bangladesh Agriculture relation and agriculture structure analysis research is important for peasant problem identification and Peasant agricultural technology improvement Important researchers who study Agriculture structure in rural in Bangladesh are Arance ad Budden (1978), Wood (1978) Choudhury (1978) Jahangir (1979) Scandal (1982), Shddique (1982) Arefin (1986), West Gurd (1986) Their research areas are Dhaka, Comilla, Jeshore, Rangpur, Questia, Tangail and Bogra.

16. Agriculture Structure in Rural Bangladesh continue-2 Arefin classify marginal farmer those have .01-.99 acres of land However, WesterGgard mentioned .1-2.99 acres So peasant categories of class are problematic in terms of land Arefin says, “A peasant can have subsistence agriculture if he has 3 acres of land” However, West Gard says, “Agriculture production is dependent on land fertility, irrigation facilities, use technology etc. which is little use by marginal cultivators Peasant classifications also vary ‘legally owned land and posses land’ The land tenure system has influenced the life of peasant

17. Agriculture Structure in Rural Bangladesh contiue-3 Wood uses the term ‘effective land ownership’ Wood does not label peasant in certain classification although he categorized peasants on the basis of land size –group However, he agrees land owners can produce surplus who has 2.4 acres of land Unequal land distribution and ownership of land creates peasant class division in Bangladesh B. K. Jahangir classified peasants into four classes –land less, poor peasant, middle class peasant and rich peasant-1 and 2.

18. Thank You Comments/Questions

19. Peasant Classes and Social Structure in Bangladesh part-2 Dr. KaziAbdurRouf Post Doctoral Fellow Course name: Peasant Society, SOC 405 Department of Sociology University of Chittagong

20. Peasants Classification Other than Lands Pat Nayak says, “If we can include land size ownership, means of production, labor relations, surplus production and market relation, then the classification would be more functional and effective.” Pat Nayak gives importance to labor exploitation in his peasant class classification However, another group of researchers classify peasants on the basis of surplus production Peasant classification also depends on geography Anowarullah in his research shows 44% households are landless in Dhaka district during middle of 70’s However, Jahangir research shows 9% and 26% in Dhaka during the same period

21. Peasants Classification Based on Multiple Criteria West GardArance and Bortheren, Eric Yensen, Vilem Van Scandal and AnowarulahChoudhury are the scholars who classify peasants with different criteria They do not classify peasants on the basis of land ownership Because there are many barriers can be found lease land cultivators, share croppers Land possession and their other land related rights Differences are for many reasons- population increase, lack of opportunities of economic activities in local area Lack of availability of technology and technology expansion Anowarullah in his research villages finds 20% peasants are poor, 51% are middle class peasants West Gard finds marginal peasant is 35% and subsistence peasant 32%

22. Peasants Classification Based on Multiple Criteria continue-2 Siddique finds 19% poor peasant and middle class peasants 45% in Bagladesh Arifin finds 6% households are rich farmers Lawrance and Buddin find 22% rich farmers in Kustia However, Siddique finds rich peasants 10% in Jessore There are two reasons for difference (1) Bangladesh agriculture development emergence is different in different parts of Bangladesh (2) Different researchers use different definitions in their research

23. Wester Gard Peasant Classification WesterGard classified peasants not only on the basis of land ownership, but also include the following points: (1) How much peasant family need work outside (2) How much rice cover from peasant own production (3) Besides food, how peasants fulfill their other commodity productions and consumptions (4) How much peasant able to fulfill their family need apart from food and other basic need

24. Peasant Classification based on Surplus Production and Labor Exploitation Arance and Bortheren, Eric Yensen, Vilem Van Scandal and AwarulahChoudhury classify peasant class on the basis of surplus production and labor exploitation Vilen Van Scandal mentions that many income source created in the village other than agriculture because of urbanization in the village Example Vilen finds one female head woman has few land and her husband work in Navy She leased her land and offers sharecrop her lands to other peasants

25. Peasant Classification based on Surplus Production and Labor Exploitation continue-2 Vilen Van Scandal emphasis his class analysis based on economic categorization His class classification based on food purchasing capacity and standard of living Classes are: ( A) Class of people unable to collect full year food and their standard of living is poor (B) Class of people are able to purchase food but standard of living is poor (C) Middle class people who are able to produce little surplus (D) Rich people are able to maintain their family with scarcity

26. Eric Yensen Peasant Classifications Eric Yensen criticizes Marxian agriculture class system He identified Marxian theoretical framework has two elements exploitation and surplus control His (Eric) research main features are rural employment and provide loan He divides peasants on the basis of rice consumption capacity in India He makes three class divisions among peasants. (1) Unable to provide food to his family members and deficit exist in family consumption (2) Self-sufficient (3) Self-sufficient and have surplus

27. Eric Yensen Peasant Classifications based on Land Ownership Moreover Eric divided peasant class into five classes according to land ownership too (1) Landless (2) poor peasant .01-.99 acres of land (3) small farmers 1-1.99 acres (4) Middle Class peasant 2-3.99 acres (5) rich farmers 4 acres +

28. Anowarullah Choudhury Peasant Classifications AnowarullahChoudhury analyzes Bangladesh village social stratification His analysis of social stratification based on three elements: (1). Strengthen of production ownership ability (2) Social status and (3) Power. His main three classes of peasant are based on agriculture system (1) Land owners (2) Share croppers or tenants (3) Landless labors Anowarullah social stratification and social classification based on person’s main occupation or main source of income Outside agriculture occupation are businessmen, paid employed, craftsmen, blacksmiths, fishermen, barbers etc.

29. Social Stratification Based on Religion/Religious Traditions Social stratification can be seen in religious traditions too Social stratification and social class division can be seen in Hindu religion Brahmin is the higher caste Shaha, Dhopa, Napid are lower caste. Fishermen, blacksmith and masons are schedule caste Aristocracy status can be also seen in Muslim families However, now social status determined by ownership of wealth Anowarullah finds four types of social stratification in Muslim family Sayed, Sheik, Moghul and Pathan

30. Khandan class (Anowarullah) However, contemporary social stratification structure is Khanda, peasant cultivators, day labors, weavers, doctors (Baiddi) Khandan is in first raw They participate in agriculture although they have enough lands.

31. Thank You Comments/Questions

32. Peasant Classes and Social Structure in Bangladesh part-3 Dr. KaziAbdurRouf Post Doctoral Fellow Course name: Peasant Society, SOC 405 Department of Sociology University of Chittagong

33. Bangladesh Agriculture and its Structural Dynamism and their main Focus Dynamism means what are the reasons structural change are happening and what are the ideas behind changes. First discuss social structure change (division) and polarization process Undivided peasant society households have one kind of equality Although exchange relations are active, periphery people have less opportunity for wealth creation and consumption Their relationships are localized and self-sufficient However, if agriculture production increase, then new class structure and new class structure relations emerge

34. Inequality among Peasants Inequality exists among peasants Peasant equality society is turning to/changing to class division Marxism calls it is the process of power dynamism and differentiation This process becomes strong in the capitalistic society This economic inequality exist peasant society

35. Social Polarization Process in Capitalist Society Polarization Process is the prime responsible for peasant socio-economic divide in Capitalist society Polarization process starts when capitalistic relations are wide spreading Polarization has two distinct characters: (1) Clear economic division-rich peasant, middle class peasants and poor peasants etc. (2) Economic inequality turns to political conflict However, class interest consciousness rises when these class people aware about their own rights and politically organized Marx says, “Class-in- itself and class-for-itself become explicitly differentiate people economic position Political conflict turn at the second stage when economic division become explicit This two stage drives to social division and leads to social dynamism.

36. Batta Chargi Class Classification BattaChargi shows it is happening in Bangladesh because of many reasons BattaChargi says,” Distance relationships occur within same class of people because people are involved in more than one occupation in the same household” Inter-village migration breaks peasant unity and creates distance relationship among same class of peasants Local labors paid wage by rice or in kinds (exchange other goods) However, outside labors wage paid by cash Many reasons are responsible for weakening of class solidarity among poor peasants Practically class solidarity among pretty peasants or rich peasants does not exist rather changing

37. Toddor Shanin Phenomenon ToddorShanin thesis creates a new dimension and emerges a different perspective to analyze social structure dynamism Usually the analyses comprises Marxist theme and Neo-populist (known as organization and production school) emphasizing social homogeneity They try to explain social structural change analyzing demography and relate demographic elements with peasant land size distribution Marxist analysis see capitalist rich peasant has power and Landless peasant agricultural labors are exploited by getting less wage from land lords Because proletariats have no bargaining power among them.

38. Shanin Theory Shanin says, “Economics and demographics both factors are responsible for changing peasant society.” The prime feature of Shanin theory is market relations with peasants that influence peasant life and society His map is not for isolate peasant society from cultivation Rather his theory is applicable where market has continuously widespread and it is essential

39. Shanin Theory continue2 Shanin theory has two main dynamic elements: (1) Centrifugal mobility- decentralized dynamism (2) Centralized –centripetal mobility. Centrifugal mobility- peasant households spread from central position to outside central point Centripetal mobility is shifting household mutual difference and coming to central position-it is like de-polarization

40. Reasons of Social Dynamics in Peasant Society Shanin identifies different reasons of social dynamics in peasant society Peasant society dynamisms are: Accumulation of economic advantages and disadvantages, Land redistribution Basic (substantive) Biological cycle Random oscillation (changes)

41. Substantive (Basic) Change Substantive (Basic) change means multiple features change This change includes partitioning, merger, (unite), extinction and village immigration Partitioning means one household breaks and creates multiple household Merger means two households unite and make one household Extinction means all members of the household died Village immigration means people leave in the village and move to another place.

42. Substantive (Basic) Change continue-2 There are two types of dynamism can be seen in peasant society in biological cycle. (1) The possibility of economic condition improve with the increase of family members and (2) Continuous expansion of household However, this economic stability cannot stable if household members separate after marriage although actual economic growth happened Shanin random oscillation is uncertain- natural disaster, market fluctuation etc. which are accidentally happen that drives dynamism in peasant society.

43. Shanin theory in Bangladesh context Van Scandal examines Shanin theory in Bangladesh context He finds household are dividing or splitting The reasons are substantive (basic) change of market relations, change of means of production, change of life styles and globalization However, substantive change creates both polarization and homogenization Van Scandal says, “State and market role has influence in villages However, maximum benefit enjoy by the rich peasants This practice strengthens polarization process in Bangladesh.

44. Shanin theory in Bangladesh context continue-2 Land redistribution is not possible in Bangladesh Because community ownership is absent in Bangladesh like it is not like pre-Russia Revolution peasant society Economic benefit and disadvantage effectiveness can be seen here in different ways in Bagladesh Rich people improve their economic situation by using advance modern economy However, it has limitation

45. Wester Gard observation in Bangladesh Context WesterGard discusses pauperization (going out, flowing out, escape) process in rural Bangladesh Wester Guard compared contemporary social structure (1970s) and social system with 1940s social structure He observes pauperization process happened more polarization in Bangladesh Wester Guard finds rich peasants loss their lands because of population increase For example, density of population was 668 in 1942, it was 1066 in 1957 First average peasant farm size was 6.2 acres, then decline to 4.9 acres Middle class peasant family increases. In such situation WesterGard do not support polarization process that affects peasants in Bogura.

46. Thank You Comments/Questions