Re‐thinking the penetration of capitalism in the Commonwealth of Independent States

Abstract

Purpose

A persistent and recurring narrative is that capitalism has penetrated ever wider and deeper into all aspects of daily life across the globe. Recently, however, this has started to be challenged by an emergent post‐development body of thought that has displayed the shallowness of commodification in a number of global regions. The aim of this paper is to further contribute to this emergent critique of capitalist hegemony by evaluating the degree to which capitalism has managed to permeate everyday life in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings of a 2001 survey of household economic practices in eight CIS are analysed, namely Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.

Findings

This study reveals a shallow permeation of capitalist practices in the CIS and how an array of non‐capitalist economic practices remain a core integral component of these economies and heavily relied on by households to secure a livelihood.

Research limitations/implications

This snapshot survey only displays that capitalism is far from hegemonic. It does not show whether there is movement towards greater reliance on the capitalist sphere.

Originality/value

This paper provides further evidence from the CIS to support the emergent post‐development critique of capitalist hegemony and opens up the future of work in this region to alternative possibilities beyond commodification.

Citation

Williams, C.C. (2010), "Re‐thinking the penetration of capitalism in the Commonwealth of Independent States", Foresight, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 21-30. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636681011020209