Write an essay “Landscape as a Commodity” and critically apply Karl Marx’ Historical

Materialism.

Through the lens of Karl Marx's Historical Materialism theory, this essay examines how the
landscape of Kambuzuma Suburb has been transformed into a commodity for capitalist
purposes, and the impacts this has had on the local community. It explores how ideology
functions to propagate capitalism's domination of space, and how the alteration of the
landscape has affected cultural traditions, beliefs and customs. The essay uses Kambuzuma
Suburb as a case study to critically demonstrate the workings of Marx's key concepts in a
local context.

Historical materialism, a key concept in Karl Marx's theory, posits that the development of
society is driven by material conditions and class struggles. In the context of my locality, the
transformation of space has been influenced by the capitalist mode of production, where land
and natural resources are commodified for economic gain (Daniels, 2023). The ideology of
capitalism promotes the private ownership of land and the pursuit of profit. As a result,
previously communal or culturally significant spaces are often transformed into commercial
areas, industrial zones, or urban developments (Chakrabarti, 2022). This transformation is
driven by the capitalist class's need for resources and the accumulation of capital.

The dominant ideology in my locality, like in many capitalist societies, promotes economic
growth and development as paramount goals. This ideology creates a narrative that positions
commercialization and urbanization as signs of progress and modernity. As a result, spaces
that were once communal or held cultural significance are frequently transformed to meet the
demands of capitalist development (Sasaki, 2021). For example, in my locality, there has
been a significant transformation of rural areas into commercialized tourist destinations.
Previously, these areas were characterized by natural landscapes, traditional agricultural
practices, and close-knit communities (Puspita, 2022). However, with the expansion of
capitalist interests, these spaces have been commodified and repurposed to cater to the
tourism industry.
 Historical Materialism highlights the alienation and exploitation that occur in capitalist
societies. When landscapes are treated as commodities, they become objects for exploitation
and profit generation (Chambers, 2021). The labor involved in transforming and maintaining
these landscapes is often undervalued and underpaid. Workers may face exploitative
conditions, such as long working hours, low wages, and limited job security (Lindner &
Lindner, 2021). Historical Materialism helps us understand how the commodification of
landscapes perpetuates the alienation of labor and the exploitation of workers within the
capitalist system.

Capitalism drives urbanization, leading to the concentration of economic and political power
in urban areas. This process often results in spatial inequality, where certain landscapes and
regions are prioritized for development while others are neglected (Rissing & Jones, 2022).
Historical Materialism allows us to analyze how the capitalist mode of production contributes
to spatial disparities, as marginalized communities, particularly in rural areas, bear the brunt
of the negative consequences of landscape commodification (Sasaki, 2021). This includes
limited access to basic services, inadequate infrastructure, and restricted opportunities for
socio-economic advancement.

One significant impact is the erosion of cultural heritage and traditions. As spaces are
transformed into commercial or urban areas, the cultural significance of these locations often
diminishes or gets commodified. Traditional practices, rituals, and customs become
marginalized and sometimes reduced to mere spectacles for tourists (Daniels, 2023). The
deep-rooted connection between the community and the land is severed as the landscape
becomes a commodity to be bought and sold.

Scenic landscapes and cultural sites that held deep meaning for local communities are now
marketed as attractions for tourists. Traditional practices and customs are often packaged as
part of the "authentic" experience, but they may be stripped of their original context and
transformed into commodified spectacles (Sasaki, 2021). This process of transformation not
only alters the physical landscape but also impacts the local community's culture, traditions,
beliefs, and customs.
Resistance and Social Movements: Historical Materialism also highlights the potential for
resistance and social movements as a response to the commodification of landscapes. As
communities face displacement, cultural erosion, and environmental degradation, they may
organize and mobilize to reclaim control over their landscapes. Historical Materialism allows
us to understand these resistance movements as part of the broader class struggles inherent in
capitalist societies (Noonan, 2021). Through collective action and solidarity, communities
can challenge the dominant capitalist ideology and advocate for alternative models of land
use and resource management that prioritize social, cultural, and ecological well-being.

Furthermore, the transformation of space for capitalist development often results in the
displacement of marginalized communities. Urban renewal projects, gentrification, and the
expansion of industrial zones frequently lead to the eviction and marginalization of low-
income communities (Puspita, 2022). The pursuit of profit and the concentration of wealth in
the hands of a few exacerbate socio-economic inequalities and disrupt the social fabric of
affected communities.

By adopting a Historical Materialist approach, we can critically analyze the commodification

of landscapes within the broader context of capitalist development. This perspective helps us
understand the material conditions, class struggles, ideology, and power dynamics that shape
the transformation of landscapes into commodities (Sasaki, 2021). It enables us to recognize
the social, economic, cultural, and environmental impacts of this process and work towards
more equitable and sustainable approaches to land and resource management (Daniels, 2023).

In summary, the ideology of capitalism and the imperative for economic growth drive the
transformation of space in my locality. This process often neglects or disregards the cultural,
historical, and ecological significance of the local landscape. As a result, the impacts on the
local community's culture, traditions, beliefs, and customs are profound, leading to the
erosion of communal spaces, displacement, and the commodification of cultural practices.
 REFERENCES
Chakrabarti, A. (2022). Historical materialism: A critical assessment. In Contemporary
Readings in Marxism. 11-79.

Chambers, C. L. (2021). Historical materialism, social change, and the necessity of

revolutionary optimism. Human Geography, 14(2), 296-300.

Daniels, S. (2023). Marxism, culture, and the duplicity of landscape. In New Models in
Geography, 2, 196-220.

Lindner, K., & Lindner, U. (2021). How Marx Got Rid of Historical Materialism. From Marx
to Global Marxism. Eurocentrism, Resistance, Postcolonial Criticism, 6, 57-77.

Noonan, J. (2021). Historical materialism as mediation between the physical and the
meaningful. Philosophy & Social Criticism, 47(9), 1043-1059.

Puspita, A. (2022). Religious Socialism Gives Birth to A Dynamic World: A Critical Review
of Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism. Religio Education, 2(1), 21-33.

Rissing, A., & Jones, B. M. (2022). Landscapes of value. Economic Anthropology, 9(2), 193-
206.
Sasaki, R. (2021). A New Introduction to Karl Marx: New Materialism, Critique of Political
Economy, and the Concept of Metabolism. Springer Nature.