Peasant politics of the twenty-first century

Summary

This book by Marc Edelman delves into the history and main objectives of global agrarian movements. It details farmer protests, peasants’ rights debates, and the categorical definition of “peasant” on the global stage. Edelman links these movements to food justice, human rights, environmental and women’s rights groups and delves into food system concepts such as ‘food sovereignty’, ‘civil society’ and the ‘moral economy.’ 

Researchers, policy makers and civil society professionals as well as readers interested in agrarian politics will find information related to issues such as land grabbing, counter agrarian reform and climate related challenges to food production and rural life. 

Publisher’s summary

Peasant Politics of the Twenty-First Century illuminates the transnational agrarian movements that are remaking rural society and the world's food and agriculture systems. Marc Edelman explains how peasant movements are staking their claims from farmers' fields to massive protests around the world, shaping heated debates over peasants' rights and the very category of "peasant" within the agrarian organizations and in the United Nations.

Edelman chronicles the rise of these movements, their objectives, and their alliances with environmental, human rights, women's, and food justice groups. The book scrutinizes high-profile activists and the forgotten genealogies and policy implications of foundational analytical frameworks like "moral economy," and concepts, such as "food sovereignty" and "civil society."

Peasant Politics of the Twenty-First Century charts the struggle of agrarian movements in the face of land grabbing, counter agrarian reform, and a looming climate catastrophe, and celebrates engaged research from Central America to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Reference

Edleman, M., 2024. Peasant Politics of the Twenty-First Century: Transnational Social Movements and Agrarian Change. Cornell University Press. 

Read more here. See also the TABLE explainer What is food sovereignty?