Plantationocene and Contemporary Agrarian Struggles.

Area of Science:

• Agrarian Studies
• Sociology
• Environmental Humanities

Background:

• Contemporary agrarian movements, while active, often suffer from fragmented organization and localized alliances.
• Plantation workers, specifically, are identified as a group requiring improved organizational structures.
• The concept of the Plantationocene necessitates a re-evaluation of current agrarian and capitalist struggles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the interconnectedness of contemporary agrarian struggles with broader anticapitalist movements.
• To explore how strengthening these links can increase the relevance and impact of both types of struggles.
• To integrate insights from Plantationocene scholarship with agrarian studies.

Main Methods:

• This study is a scholarly commentary, engaging critically with existing literature.
• It synthesizes theoretical frameworks from agrarian studies and critiques of capitalism.
• It specifically draws upon and contributes to scholarship on the Plantationocene.

Main Results:

• Current agrarian movements are often sectoral and localized, with plantation workers being particularly underrepresented.
• A stronger integration of agrarian struggles within broader anticapitalist movements is proposed as a strategy for increased relevance.
• Conversely, grounding anticapitalist struggles in contemporary agrarian issues is shown to provide a more robust foundation.

Conclusions:

• Agrarian struggles and broader anticapitalist movements mutually benefit from deeper integration and connection.
• Plantationocene scholarship provides a valuable lens for understanding and validating these interconnected struggles.
• Future research should foster greater engagement between Plantationocene studies and agrarian struggle scholarship.