O campesinato brasileiro

Abstract

The aim of this article is to introduce the reader to the debate on the peasantry, with emphasis on the Brazilian case, understanding its historical context and its interfaces in the current situation. We used, as references, authors from rural sociology, agrarian geography, anthropology and agroecology. Without intending to exhaust the possibilities of exploring the theme, we intend to demonstrate the importance of the peasantry to think of a more just, egalitarian and sustainable society, especially in the Brazilian case, where the concept of peasant is historically attacked and emptied. We use the idea of “peasant references” to demonstrate that the peasantry does not refer to the “incarnation of an ideal type”, but rather to a social category subject to economic, political and environmental dynamics, and, therefore, in constant movement. The research carried out is essentially based on a qualitative and bibliographical approach, despite the authors' accumulation of research experiences and works related to the theme. The results show that, despite the adversities encountered, the Brazilian peasantry, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, carries the flags of agrarian reform, defense of territories and agroecology and, therefore, must be recognized as protagonists of the necessary global transition.