Rural Social Classes in Latin America and Food Regimes: The Case of Ecuador

In the agrarian political economy, the analysis of social classes and their interrelations is essential to understanding the economic phenomena that shapes nations. These dynamics largely determine capital reproduction, particularly in the agricultural sector, and the shifting balance of social dynamics over time. Accordingly, in this project we use Marxist dependency school to examine rural class structures, specifically the agro-industrial bourgeoisie, landowners, peasants, the rural petite bourgeoisie, and the agrarian proletariat. This study is framed within the context of successive food regimes in the economic development of Latin America, with a special emphasis on Ecuador. JEL Classification: Q15, P16, N56