Rural industrialization, state Bureaucracy and land expropriation

Exploring the dynamism of rural household political economy

Abstract

This research investigated the effects of capitalist investment and bureaucratic organizations on rural household economy and social relations in Ikwo, LGA in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Guided by the insights provided by the Mode of Production Neo-Marxist theory as the theoretical framework; the study interrogated three objectives: The impact of the capitalist infrastructure on the rural economy; the extent to which the capitalist infrastructure engender dynamism in the household income generation; the relationship between capitalist infrastructure penetration and changes in the patterns of social relationships. The study involved self administered questionnaire of 159 respondents, 15 In-depth-interviews (IDIs) and 5 Focussed Group Discussion (FGDs). Secondary data from documented materials were also used. Data analysis was both quantitative and qualitative. Our findings showed that while the family income of the members of the community who are engaged in the employment of the change agents have slightly increased, the communities’ economic activities have declined, because of loss of agricultural lands and rural unemployment. The study recommends immediate compensation and adequate socio-economic rehabilitation of those whose lands have been expropriated for the setting up of the rural industries and state organizations, fulfilment by companies and other organisations of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to the host communities, among others. It is hoped that if well harnessed, these organizations can transform rural households’ economy positively.