Articulation of Modes of
Production
The interrelationship between local
modes of production and the dominant economic logic is an ongoing historical
process, changing constantly in an interactive relationship. According to Rey’s
model, the first contact between capitalism and other modes of production
begins with commercial exchange where the needs of the larger capitalist system
reinforces the pre-capitalist modes of production. This is followed by
capitalism by becoming firmly established, subordinating the pre-capitalist
modes but still making use of them. Finally, in Rey’s model, there is total
incorporation into the world capitalist system with the complete disappearance
of all pre-capitalist modes of production. Rey closely follows Marx’s study of
British colonial relations over India. Marx claims that, at the first stage,
trade is in luxury items benefiting the capitalist of a richer country because
of an unequal exchange. With industrialization in the advanced nation, the
colonial nations serve as markets for the manufactured goods coming from the
industrialized centers. This has a devastating effect on the local social
structure and modes of production in the non-industrialized areas. The
pre-capitalist modes of production are then transformed to meet the needs of
the capitalist centers. Up until now, in the non-developed areas of the world,
exploitation has been primarily an unequal exchange, followed by unequal
exchange and markets for manufactured goods. In the expansion of the Industrial
Revolution, British investors controlled the
extractive industries, which resulted in the beginning of a wage labor force to
work in these industries, i.e. the beginning of capitalist social relations.
Rey’s first stage of incorporation into a worldwide capitalist
system is the initial link with capitalism through commercial exchange. The
second stage is the subordination of pre-capitalist modes of production to the needs
of international capitalism, which have already happened in most third world
countries. The third stage is the total disappearance of all pre-capitalist
modes.
Francisconi claims there is a constant restructuring of existing
non-capitalist modes of production to meet the conditions of trade and to
withstand the impact of direct capitalist investments. Corresponding to this
restructuring of existing modes of production is a continual reinterpretation
of local tradition. Through this restructuring and readjustment, there is a
continuous adjustment and resistance to the expanding capitalist penetration
into the local political economy. The reproduction of the non-capitalist modes
of production is the result of capitalist expansion into local economies. The
above is equally important in understanding the history of articulation of
modes of production, as a functional explanation of capitalist exploitation as
well as local resistance to capitalist expansion.
The
incorporation of the world into a single world capitalist system develops
through tensions and contradictions that are inherent in the logic of the
capitalist system itself. Wars, conquest, imperialism, and neo-colonialism are
deadly necessities for the continuing expansion of industrial markets. All
small nations come under the control of more powerful capitalist centers. The
ruin of non-capitalist nations begins with the first contact of commercial
trade. The carefully manipulated use of symbols of self-determination, by
preserving pre-capitalist modes of production and traditional ideology, have
been used by colonial administrations to continue the power of international
capitalism.
The
Neo-Marxist Modes of Production Theorists investigate the structure of economic
relationships of local communities. The Dependency Theorists study the world
economy of international power relations. In both these Theories, social
relations become something that is neither fully capitalist yet, nor are they
traditional. Capitalist social relations remain underdeveloped. Traditions are
redefined.
Marx, Karl (1967) Capital Vol. One New York: International Publishers
Lenin, V. I. (1939) Imperialism: The Highest
Stage of Capitalism New York: International Publishers
Luxemburg, Rosa (1951) Accumulation of Capital New York: Monthly Review
Frank, Andre Gunder (1967) Capitalism and the Underdevelopment in Latin America New York;
Monthly Review
Szymanski, Albert (1981) Logic of Imperialism New York: Prager
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