Abstract

The concept of “primitive accumulation” has a checkered history within the Marxist tradition. In the writings of Karl Marx, the concept was used to uncover the origin of the capitalist mode of production through historical analysis. For a long while, its use was confined to transition studies—i.e. studies of transition to the capitalist mode of production, particularly in “backward” countries. However, in recent times, the concept has been used in the context of richer capitalist economies as well. The theoretical significance of the primitive accumulation, already visible in Marx’s writings, was later elaborated upon and developed by a number of Marxists.