TWO VIEWS OF PEASANT BEHAVIOR

Abstract

This study is a theoretical consideration of the difficulty of large explanatory systems (marxist and neo-classic) in providing a solid basis for understanding the problematic of the peasantry and its development in a capitalist society. For this purpose, two texts are taken as the main points of discussion: one, that of Scott, representing the peasant sociological ethics which studies the dissolution of the solidary cultural system on which is based the traditional village, under the impact of capitalist development. The other one, that of Popkin, who, on the basis of methodological individualism, sees the peasants moved by self-interest, thus contesting the existence of social norms controlling their conduct and offering a less tragic vision of the capitalist advance.