The 'other' agrarian transition? Structure, institutions and agency in sustainable rural development

This essay reviews some of the new literature on the transition to sustainable rural development (SRD). By considering various accounts of environmental degradation, ifs links with poverty and aspects of rite agenda for SRD, the essay notes an ambiguity regarding the role of the state, which is held, in this literature, as culpable for environmental degradation, as well as given a substantial role, implicitly or explicitly in making the transition to SRD. This ambiguity is shown via an analysis of the treatments written from historical, socio-cultural and political economy perspectives, from which the essay draws the theme of state-class relations, arguing a central position for these relations in SRD agendas. The essay concludes with an argument for a move to create a framework of analysis which takes into account not only public policy but also political economy and popular politics.