COMMERCIALIZATION AND COMMODITIZATION IN THE JORDAN VALLEY: PRODUCERS, MERCHANTS AND THE STATE

This article analyzes the role of the state, international organizations\nand merchant capital in the transformation of agricultural structures, as well\nas concomitant changes in social relations. Most rural development projects\nundertaken both by the state and international agencies aim at eliminating\npoverty through production increases. These projects premised on\ntechnological change, when applied without taking into account the unequal\nsocial structures, do not have the desired effect of eliminating poverty.\nAs a result of the extension of Green Revolution technologies, small\nproducers are driven into new production processes under the compulsion of\nthe state, merchant capital and international capital, and they cannot\nsufficiently benefit from the realized production increases. Beset by the\nproblems of balance of payments, shortage of foreign currency and provision\nof cheap foodstuffs, the state, in search for legitimacy, is put into a position\nwhere it mediates the interests of international aid and finance organizations\nin less developed countries.