The state and peasant politics in Sri Lanka /

This book is an excellent description of the evolution of Sri Lanka's political system during the last 50 years. Sri Lanka's small landowners are politically well organized and active. Yet, unlike similar politically active groups in India, Sri Lanka's small farmer/landowners have never insisted that policymakers respond directly to their narrowly defined economic interests. In particular, the author finds it puzzling that Sri Lanka's agricultural interests have not insisted on programs of price supports for agricultural products. The author finds this to be especially puzzling since agricultural interests in nations as diverse as the US and India have demanded and received price supports and other subsidies. Moore's careful analysis of Sri Lanka's economy, political system, geography, and history is directed toward solving this puzzle. The answer, according to Moore, is to be found in the evolution of Sri Lanka's highly developed political system and not, as others argue, in the economy. The book, however, provides a much broader perspective on Sri Lanka's political system than has been described here. The chapters on land reform and agricultural pricing strategies are particularly well done. Further, the book is well written and contains an extensive bibliography. Thus, Moore's study will make a fine addition to any library's collection of South Asian materials.-J.T. Peach, New Mexico State University