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Optimising Stability

Read, Thomas LU (2013) MIDM71 20131
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
This study discusses the risk-decisions of peasant economy. It draws examples from campesinos in Chile and suggests how these decisions may impact the future of campesinos as a distinct cultural group. Utilising a theoretical discussion, illustrated with empirical field data, some of the risks as perceived by campesinos across a region of Chile’s Central Valley are highlighted. The study first analyses how risk-decisions are made, using Lipton’s Theory of the Optimising Peasant as a framework, by drawing on risk-decision and aspiration studies from economics and psychology. It then assesses the impact that risks and risk-decisions, with particular regard to modernisation practices, may have on the future of campesinos and whether they will... (More)
This study discusses the risk-decisions of peasant economy. It draws examples from campesinos in Chile and suggests how these decisions may impact the future of campesinos as a distinct cultural group. Utilising a theoretical discussion, illustrated with empirical field data, some of the risks as perceived by campesinos across a region of Chile’s Central Valley are highlighted. The study first analyses how risk-decisions are made, using Lipton’s Theory of the Optimising Peasant as a framework, by drawing on risk-decision and aspiration studies from economics and psychology. It then assesses the impact that risks and risk-decisions, with particular regard to modernisation practices, may have on the future of campesinos and whether they will become depeasantisied or remain as a culturally unique group. The research finds that aspirations are often defined by social-group averages, that this may influence risk-decisions among campesinos, and that campesinos are likely to be stability, rather than optimisation seeking. Further, it suggests that a linear illustration of campesino cultural survival or loss in the market economy can be expanded. A theoretical model is proposed which incorporates modernisation decisions to explain the complex relationship between perceived risks and decisions which will influence the future trajectory of campesinos. (Less)
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author
Read, Thomas LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
An Analysis of Agricultural Risk-Decisions and Aspirations in the Context of Chilean Campesinos
course
MIDM71 20131
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Risk, Peasant Economy, Campesinos, Aspirations, Chile
language
English
id
3799048
date added to LUP
2013-12-04 09:21:11
date last changed
2013-12-04 09:21:11
@misc{3799048,
  abstract     = {{This study discusses the risk-decisions of peasant economy. It draws examples from campesinos in Chile and suggests how these decisions may impact the future of campesinos as a distinct cultural group. Utilising a theoretical discussion, illustrated with empirical field data, some of the risks as perceived by campesinos across a region of Chile’s Central Valley are highlighted. The study first analyses how risk-decisions are made, using Lipton’s Theory of the Optimising Peasant as a framework, by drawing on risk-decision and aspiration studies from economics and psychology. It then assesses the impact that risks and risk-decisions, with particular regard to modernisation practices, may have on the future of campesinos and whether they will become depeasantisied or remain as a culturally unique group. The research finds that aspirations are often defined by social-group averages, that this may influence risk-decisions among campesinos, and that campesinos are likely to be stability, rather than optimisation seeking. Further, it suggests that a linear illustration of campesino cultural survival or loss in the market economy can be expanded. A theoretical model is proposed which incorporates modernisation decisions to explain the complex relationship between perceived risks and decisions which will influence the future trajectory of campesinos.}},
  author       = {{Read, Thomas}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Optimising Stability}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}