The lecture given by Li consists of the development issues regarding the indigenous farmers of Indonesia. The central ideas of the talk are about capitalism from above and below, the commodification of land and labour, and conceptions of counter-movements. Her knowledge and experiences of development studies are evident in the lecture …show more content…
In the past, people did not buy or sell land and did not usually work for wages. To illustrate, the transition to cocoa meant that the land became the farmers to buy and sell due to the time and effort spent on the piece of land. However, many farmers failed at cocoa farming and which resulted in selling their land. Due to this, farmers could not provide for their families and ended up searching for paid work to purchase necessities. Thus, putting the lives of indigenous people at risk.
The discourse of conceptions of counter-movements is a pushback on capitalism. Mostly, evident in the indigenous community. Indigenous people are victims of development because of a preconceived idea that they would not participate in capitalism if given the chance. Along with, community members were not getting their land back and the access to land was depleting. The land of community members was used for substantial agriculture companies or utilized as national …show more content…
I am enlightened by the example Li discussed in the lecture because she brings to light how locals want to be a part of the economy, which relates to the post-development theory. I agree with Li and her ideas of capitalism from above and below, the commodification of land and labour, and conceptions of counter-movements, reflect the post-development theory.
Li published an article titled “Indigeneity, Capitalism, and the Management of Dispossession” in Current Anthropology. She explains how indigeneity, capitalism, and dispossession imposes a threat to the indigenous lives and property of land. Also, she writes about how capitalism and dispossession unite indigenous people and their allies. She further discusses how indigeneity, capitalism, and dispossession shape a community and its development status.
The article adds to Li’s lecture by going in depth about Southeast Asia and Africa and their colonial authorities influence locals to collect capital for example, by renting property and investing the money into production (399). However, the ideology for locals was to provide education and basic necessities for their children. The article connects the main arguments of capitalism from above and below, the commodification of land and labour, and conceptions of counter-movements