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The Class Structure of Pakistan
This study makes three propositions.
First, the mode of production of pre-colonial South Asia was qualitatively distinct from European feudalism. Instead, Marx's notion of the Asiatic mode of production is more consistent with the historical evidence.
Second, the colonial path of capitalist development of South Asia resulted in a socio-economic formation that combined features of the Asiatic and capitalist modes of production, which this study terms Asiatic capitalism. Empirical analysis of agrarian relations in Pakistan reveals the relative
absence of wage labour and the continuing existence of various forms of pre-capitalist economic relations within the overall framework of a capitalist economy.
Third, the vast majority of the non-agricultural working population of Pakistan today is engaged in handicraft and manufacture. However, manufacturing and services are dominated by petty commodity production and small-scale capitalism. Hence, while being significant in terms of output, the formal
large-scale industrial sector, which was developed along the model of state-corporate capitalism, remains relatively small in terms of employment.
In sum, the class structure of Pakistan is characterized by this study as Asiatic capitalism.
First, the mode of production of pre-colonial South Asia was qualitatively distinct from European feudalism. Instead, Marx's notion of the Asiatic mode of production is more consistent with the historical evidence.
Second, the colonial path of capitalist development of South Asia resulted in a socio-economic formation that combined features of the Asiatic and capitalist modes of production, which this study terms Asiatic capitalism. Empirical analysis of agrarian relations in Pakistan reveals the relative
absence of wage labour and the continuing existence of various forms of pre-capitalist economic relations within the overall framework of a capitalist economy.
Third, the vast majority of the non-agricultural working population of Pakistan today is engaged in handicraft and manufacture. However, manufacturing and services are dominated by petty commodity production and small-scale capitalism. Hence, while being significant in terms of output, the formal
large-scale industrial sector, which was developed along the model of state-corporate capitalism, remains relatively small in terms of employment.
In sum, the class structure of Pakistan is characterized by this study as Asiatic capitalism.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published March 27, 2013
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244 people want to read
About the author
Taimur Rahman
2 books24 followersTaimur Rahman is an academic, musician and socialist political activist from Pakistan. He teaches political science at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. He is the band leader and spokesperson for the political music band named 'Laal'.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 23, 2021
In the Muslim regions of India the Arabic word 'quom' is used to describe castes as well as 'nation' (Ghazdar,2007:5).In Pakistan, quoms are broadly divided into two distinct system: land-owning quoms are known as Zamindar quoms, and labouring class quoms are knowns as kammi quoms. Zamindar quoms included those that work their own land, as well as those who mainly live off the rent from their sharecropping tenants.the more powerful zamindar quoms tend to dominant village life. For instant, In Punjab , the Zamindar quoms include Sayyed, Swan,Rajput,Chakar,Gujjar,Jat,Arian,Dawn,Malik,Sheikh,Bhatti,Gondal, and so on-- these are All various names of different castes.
Working quoms are known as Kammi quoms.The word 'Kammi' literally means worker (in Punjab, 'Kam' means 'to work' ). There are numerous kammi quoms , such as Chuhra/musalli(sweeper and scavenger), chammer(leather worker), Nahi(barber) , chimmba and dhobi (washerman), mirasi(village bard and geneologist), Kasi (butcher), kumhar(potter),tarkhan/badhai(carpenter) ,lohar(blacksmith) changar(reapers), mallah(fisherman) kewat(boatsman) , teli(oil presser), kahar(water carrier), gadadia(sheep herder) sonar(goldsmith) , and darzi(tailor), In Sindh they are called bheel, kolhi,toorkhail,(literally'black lineage') kisabgar(menials), bargi, lacchi, lohri, and shahikhel. In Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa (NWFP) they are called neechzaad (low caste) , badnasaal(bad lineage) and In Baluchistan they are simply called Ghulam (save) (ghazdar ,2007:2), ............... Page 117
Working quoms are known as Kammi quoms.The word 'Kammi' literally means worker (in Punjab, 'Kam' means 'to work' ). There are numerous kammi quoms , such as Chuhra/musalli(sweeper and scavenger), chammer(leather worker), Nahi(barber) , chimmba and dhobi (washerman), mirasi(village bard and geneologist), Kasi (butcher), kumhar(potter),tarkhan/badhai(carpenter) ,lohar(blacksmith) changar(reapers), mallah(fisherman) kewat(boatsman) , teli(oil presser), kahar(water carrier), gadadia(sheep herder) sonar(goldsmith) , and darzi(tailor), In Sindh they are called bheel, kolhi,toorkhail,(literally'black lineage') kisabgar(menials), bargi, lacchi, lohri, and shahikhel. In Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa (NWFP) they are called neechzaad (low caste) , badnasaal(bad lineage) and In Baluchistan they are simply called Ghulam (save) (ghazdar ,2007:2), ............... Page 117
March 11, 2013
Very interesting and informative despite the clear socialist leanings of the author (he's the spokesperson for the band "Laal"). even so, it was great and very easy to get through too.
June 20, 2020
Author made a case for Asiatic mode of production in Pakistan and sub continent in general with strong arguments. A tough read for non political readers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews