Ideology of race and class in the development of smallholder agriculture in Jamaica

A review of class relations since the 1830"s shows that lingering colonial stereotypes of class distinctions as reflecting an unchangeable, "natural" order resulted in a political and economic structure in which Blacks and other "people of color", most of them former salves, were belittled despite their keen understanding of agriculture and marketing (largely because of enforced responsibility in these areas). Counterpointing the Jamaican study is a discussion of production in 19th century Cuba (after most world powers had disavowed slavery) in which the number of "slaves" actually rose with the advent of industrialization. The report concludes that conscription into slavery is due not to the qualities of those conscripted but rather to the image - which becomes expressed in class structure - ascribed to them by those most likely to benefit.