‘We are Like the Living Dead’: Farmer Suicides in Maharashtra, Western India
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated suicides in Amravati and Yavatmal districts, Maharashtra, in relation to Durkheimian theory, which attributes such acts to an historically specific combination of social and economic causes.
Abstract: Findings presented here about farmer suicides in Amravati and Yavatmal districts, Maharashtra, are evaluated in relation to Durkheimian theory, which attributes such acts to an historically specific combination of social and economic causes. Lower and middle caste peasant smallholders found themselves trapped between enhanced aspirations generated by land reform and other post-1947 measures, and the reality of neoliberalism (rising debt, declining income). Suicides among large and medium farmers belonging to the higher castes in Maharashtra were occasioned by failures in business, trade and politics. Such cases are consistent with the argument put forward by Durkheim, that suicide is an effect of individualization, a process of socio-economic ‘estrangement’ from agrarian communities experienced by rural producers in the context of rapid economic growth.
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TL;DR: This analysis of India demonstrates that the climate, particularly temperature, has strong influence over a growing suicide epidemic, and delivers large-scale quantitative evidence linking climate and agricultural income to self-harm in a developing country.
Abstract: More than three quarters of the world’s suicides occur in developing countries, yet little is known about the drivers of suicidal behavior in poor populations. I study India, where one fifth of global suicides occur and suicide rates have doubled since 1980. Using nationally comprehensive panel data over 47 y, I demonstrate that fluctuations in climate, particularly temperature, significantly influence suicide rates. For temperatures above 20 °C, a 1 °C increase in a single day’s temperature causes ∼70 suicides, on average. This effect occurs only during India’s agricultural growing season, when heat also lowers crop yields. I find no evidence that acclimatization, rising incomes, or other unobserved drivers of adaptation are occurring. I estimate that warming over the last 30 y is responsible for 59,300 suicides in India, accounting for 6.8% of the total upward trend. These results deliver large-scale quantitative evidence linking climate and agricultural income to self-harm in a developing country.
241 citations
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors use the theoretical frameworks of disputed material and immaterial territories and of re-peasantization to explain the increased emphasis on agroecology by movements in this context.
Abstract: Rural social movements have in recent years adopted agroecology and diversified farming systems as part of their discourse and practice. Here, we situate this phenomenon in the evolving context of rural spaces that are increasingly disputed between agribusiness, together with other corporate land-grabbers, and peasants and their organizations and movements. We use the theoretical frameworks of disputed material and immaterial territories and of re-peasantization to explain the increased emphasis on agroecology by movements in this context. We provide examples from the farmer-to-farmer movement to show the advantages that social movements bring to the table in taking agroecology to scale and discuss the growing agroecology networking process in the transnational peasant and family farmer movement La Via Campesina.
217 citations
TL;DR: In several cases, the implementation of agro-ecological practices has grown beyond isolated, local experienc... as mentioned in this paper, which is a good sign that agroecology as a transformative movement has gained momentum in many countries worldwide.
Abstract: Agroecology as a transformative movement has gained momentum in many countries worldwide. In several cases, the implementation of agroecological practices has grown beyond isolated, local experienc...
197 citations
Cites background from "‘We are Like the Living Dead’: Farm..."
...In India, the crisis was marked by overwhelming peasant indebtedness that led to an unprecedented epidemic of suicides – an average of one farmer suicide every 30 min – coupled with low incomes due to falling market prices and rising costs of green revolution inputs (Khadse, Rosset, and Ferguson 2017; Misra 2008; Mohanty 2005; Vakulabharam 2013; Vyas 2005)....
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...…that led to an unprecedented epidemic of suicides – an average of one farmer suicide every 30 min – coupled with low incomes due to falling market prices and rising costs of green revolution inputs (Khadse, Rosset, and Ferguson 2017; Misra 2008; Mohanty 2005; Vakulabharam 2013; Vyas 2005)....
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TL;DR: The transnational rural social movement La Via Campesina has been critically sustained and shaped by the encounter and dialogo de saberes (dialog among different knowledges and ways of knowing) between different rural cultures (East, West, North and South; peasant, indigenous, farmer, pastoralist and rural proletarian, etc) that takes place within it, in the context of the increasingly politicized confrontation with neoliberal reality and agribusiness in the most recent phase of capital expansion as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The transnational rural social movement La Via Campesina has been critically sustained and shaped by the encounter and dialogo de saberes (dialog among different knowledges and ways of knowing) between different rural cultures (East, West, North and South; peasant, indigenous, farmer, pastoralist and rural proletarian, etc) that takes place within it, in the context of the increasingly politicized confrontation with neoliberal reality and agribusiness in the most recent phase of capital expansion This dialog among the ‘absences’ left out by the dominant monoculture of ideas has produced important ‘emergences’ that range from mobilizing frames for collective action – like the food sovereignty framework – to social methodologies for the spread of agroecology among peasant families
188 citations
Cites background from "‘We are Like the Living Dead’: Farm..."
...…the acute indebtedness in which many India peasants find themselves.15 The debt is due to the high production costs of conventional Green Revolution-style farming, as translated into budgets for bank credit, and is the underlying cause of the well-known epidemic of farmer suicides (Mohanty 2005)....
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TL;DR: The Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) movement as discussed by the authors is a grassroots agroecology movement in Karnataka, India, which aims to end reliance on purchased inputs and loans for farming, positioning itself as a solution to extreme indebtedness and suicides.
Abstract: This paper analyzes how peasant movements scale up agroecology. It specifically examines Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), a grassroots peasant agroecology movement in Karnataka, India. ZBNF ends reliance on purchased inputs and loans for farming, positioning itself as a solution to extreme indebtedness and suicides among Indian farmers. The ZBNF movement has achieved massive scale not only because of effective farming practices, but because of a social movement dynamic – motivating members through discourse, mobilizing resources from allies, self-organized pedagogical activities, charismatic and local leadership, and generating a spirit of volunteerism among its members. This paper was produced as part of a self-study process in La Via Campesina, the global peasant movement.
105 citations
Cites background from "‘We are Like the Living Dead’: Farm..."
...Various studies point to indebtedness from increasing costs of green revolution inputs as well as low incomes due to declining market prices as some of the key drivers of the agrarian crisis and farmer suicides in India (Mohanty 2005; Vyas 2005; Misra 2008; Vakulabharam 2013)....
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References
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Book•
01 Jan 1897
TL;DR: The suicide is one of the least understandable of human behaviours as discussed by the authors, and suicide makes an immense contribution to our understanding to what must surely be the most understandable of acts in human life.
Abstract: There would be no need for sociology if everyone understood the social frameworks within which we operate. That we do have a connection to the larger picture is largely thanks to the pioneering thinker Emile Durkheim. He recognized that, if anything can explain how we as individuals relate to society, then it is suicide: Why does it happen? What goes wrong? Why is it more common in some places than others? In seeking answers to these questions, Durkheim wrote a work that has fascinated, challenged and informed its readers for over a hundred years. Far-sighted and trail-blazing in its conclusions, Suicide makes an immense contribution to our understanding to what must surely be one of the least understandable of acts. A brilliant study, it is regarded as one of the most important books Durkheim ever wrote.
5,336 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1893
TL;DR: In this paper, Durkheim's Life and Work: Timeline 1858-1917- Suggestions for Further Reading- Original Translator's Note- The Division of Labour in Society by Emile Durkhere- Preface to the First Edition (1893) - Preface and introduction to the Second Edition (1902) - Introduction - Part I: The Method of Determining This Function - Part II: THE CAUSES and CONDITIONS- 8 The Progress of the Division of labour and of Happiness- 9 The Causes- 10 Secondary Factors- 11
Abstract: Preface to this edition, by Steven Lukes- Introduction to the 1984 edition, by Lewis Coser- Introduction to this edition, by Steven Lukes- Durkheim's Life and Work: Timeline 1858-1917- Suggestions for Further Reading- Original Translator's Note- The Division of Labour in Society by Emile Durkheim- Preface to the First Edition (1893) - Preface to the Second Edition (1902) - Introduction - PART I: THE FUNCTION OF THE DIVISION OF LABOUR- 1 The Method of Determining This Function - 2 Mechanical Solidarity, or Solidarity by Similarities- 3 Solidarity Arising from the Division of Labour, or Organic Solidarity- 4 Another Proof of the Preceding Theory- 5 The Increasing Preponderance of Organic: Solidarity and its Consequences- 6 The Increasing Preponderance of Organic: Solidarity and its Consequences (cont)- 7 Organic Solidarity and Contractual Solidarity- PART II: THE CAUSES AND CONDITIONS- 8 The Progress of the Division of Labour and of Happiness- 9 The Causes- 10 Secondary Factors- 11 Secondary Factors (cont)- 12 Consequences of the Foregoing- PART III: THE ABNORMAL FORMS- 13 The Anomic Division of Labour- 14 The Forced Division of Labour- 15 Another Abnormal Form- Conclusion- Original Annotated Table of Contents
3,010 citations
30 Sep 1971
TL;DR: Giddens's analysis of the writings of Marx, Durkheim and Weber has become the classic text for any student seeking to understand the three thinkers who established the basic framework of contemporary sociology as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Giddens's analysis of the writings of Marx, Durkheim and Weber has become the classic text for any student seeking to understand the three thinkers who established the basic framework of contemporary sociology. The first three sections of the book, based on close textual examination of the original sources, contain separate treatments of each writer. The author demonstrates the internal coherence of their respective contributions to social theory. The concluding section discusses the principal ways in which Marx can be compared with the other two authors, and discusses misconceptions of some conventional views on the subject.
878 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1926
TL;DR: Malinowski's Crime and Custom in Savage Society as discussed by the authors describes and analyzes the ways in which Trobriand Islanders structure and maintain the social and economic order of their tribe.
Abstract: Bronislaw Malinowski achieved international recognition as the founder of "functionalism" in social anthropology, based on his studies of Melanesian society on the Trobriand Islands off New Guinea. His Crime and Custom in Savage Society is now one of the classic works of modern anthropology. In his book, Malinowski describes and analyzes the ways in which Trobriand Islanders structure and maintain the social and economic order of their tribe. This is essential reading for anyone interested in anthropology.
667 citations
Book•
29 Dec 1995
TL;DR: The origins and Foundations of modern social theory: 1750-1920 Modern Social Theory Defined The Central Subject Matter of Social Theory Part Two: KARL MARX The Historical Context of Karl Marx's Work The Shift to Materialism The German Ideology Marx's Economic Works: 1850-1867 Capital Volume One, Part A Economic and Social Elements of Capitalism Capital Volume 1, Part B The Theory of Value Capital Volume 2, Part C Theory of Surplus Value Capital, Part D The Genesis of Capitalism Theory of Alienation and the 1844 Manuscripts Marx's Political
Abstract: PART ONE: INTRODUCTION The Origins and Foundations of Modern Social Theory: 1750-1920 Modern Social Theory Defined The Central Subject Matter of Social Theory PART TWO: KARL MARX The Historical Context of Karl Marx's Work The Shift to Materialism The German Ideology Marx's Economic Works: 1850-1867 Capital Volume One, Part A Economic and Social Elements of Capitalism Capital Volume One, Part B The Theory of Value Capital Volume One, Part C Theory of Surplus Value Capital Volume One, Part D The Genesis of Capitalism Theory of Alienation Marx's Theory of Alienation and the 1844 Manuscripts Marx's Political Writings Marx's Dialectical View of History The Theory of Development PART THREE: EMILE DURKHEIM The Historical Context of Emile Durkheim's Work The Division of Labor in Society The Rules of Sociological Method Durkheim's Study of Suicide The Elementary Form of the Religious Life PART FOUR: MAX WEBER The Historical Context of Max Weber's Work Weber's Theoretical Perspective and Fundamental Themes in His Work The Theme of Capitalism in Weber's Work Weber's Theory of Class, Status and Party Weber's Concept of the Status Group The Separation of Status from Class The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Weber's Methodology and the Theory of Knowledge in the Social Sciences The Theory of Legitimate Domination Weber's Political Writings Weber's Study of Bureaucracy
174 citations
"‘We are Like the Living Dead’: Farm..." refers background in this paper
...The larger the size of the family, the greater the degree of protection against suicide, because this institutional form represents a powerful kind of social cohesion due to stronger sentiments and memories [Morrison, 1995: 174]....
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