Peasants and Workers in Nepal

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. The underdevelopment of Nepal. 3. Poor peasants. 4. Rural artisans. 5. Porters. 6. Agricultural labourers. 7. Highway construction labourers. 8. The urban labour force. 9. Small business and the petty bourgeoisie. Bibliography.

"Nine essays based on fieldwork during 1974 and 1975 analyse the economic and social conditions in the towns and countryside of one region of Nepal, with particular reference to peasants, workers, and the petty bourgeoisie. The authors use an integrated social science in which the divisions between the disciplines of anthropology, history, sociology and economics are set aside in favour of a consideration of the political economy of Nepal in a historical context. Chapters on the changing circumstances of workers and peasants, minor bureaucrats and small businessmen all acknowledge the complexity of Nepalese society and economy, and the need for a correspondingly sophisticated approach." (jacket)