The Duality of Structure

Abstract

In the previous two chapters, the production systems and economic situations of the poor, middle and leading case-study households have been examined, as have the social contexts in which the households are embedded. I have sought to show in these accounts how the resilience of both household economies and rural social organisation is under severe strain, in the face of environmental fluctuation and the policy pressures exerted by the state. For many poor households, most of their income comes from non-agricultural sources; for many middle and even leading farmers, agricultural production is subsidised by wage-income remittances; and for even leading farmers, the struggle to keep their production activities viable is perilous.

We underestimate our farmers, gentlemen, simply because we have no dialogue. Thank you very much. (Shurugwi Extension Supervisor; the final speaker, Gweru seminar, 22 July 1987)

In general, it is a mistake to connect linguistic understanding with a necessary (even if only potential) agreement among speakers and hearers of particular speech acts. (Fay, 1987, p. 190)