Changes in Economic and Social Landscape in a Peasant Society of Bueng Kan Province: Review of the Concepts of Peasants’ Society of Edward C. Banfield and James C. Scott

Abstract

This article aims to present changes in Esan rural society through the study of changes in economic and social landscape of a peasant in BuengKan Province. The recent switch from rice production to Para rubber has influenced rapid changes in the structure of economy, social and economic lives and relationship among peasants and other groups of people. The concepts of ‘culture of powerty’ and ‘moral economy’ of the peasant provided by Edward C. Banfield and James C. Scott is reviewed here to grasp the idea of changes and development in peasant society. The concepts have had some significant influences upon the study of peasant society in Thailand. However, based on the research, the concept has some limitations in applying to BuengKan peasants whose livelihood has gone beyond that of subsistence economy.