The Changing Dynamics Of Fisheries In Kerala: An Analysis Of Modes Of Production

Abstract

The origin and growth of human societies can be better understood by examining the various modes of production and the accompanying social formations. Human needs and wants are inherently unlimited, and in order to fulfil them, individuals are compelled to engage in diverse productive activities. The capacity of people to produce is shaped not only by their knowledge, skills, and efficiency, but also by the availability of tools, machines, raw materials, and natural resources that support production. In the process of engaging in such activities, individuals inevitably interact with one another, leading to the establishment of production relations. These relationships are not random but correspond to a specific stage in the development of productive forces at any given point in history. Thus, modes of production form the foundation upon which the structure of society evolves. Every economic sector—be it agriculture, industry, or fisheries—passes through its own unique path of transformation, shaped by the interplay of productive forces and relations. The analysis of these transitions through the lens of modes of production and social formations provides critical insights into the historical trajectory of development and the structural changes within society. In Marxist analysis, the periodisation of history through modes of production helps to distinguish the various phases in the formation and development of societies by examining the interconnections among their different practices and structures. However, the Marxist approach does not assume that all societies must necessarily pass through every mode of production in a fixed or linear sequence. Likewise, it acknowledges that multiple modes of production may coexist and operate simultaneously within a society. Grounded in this perspective, the study explores the evolution of Kerala’s fish economy, tracing its different phases of production relations as well as the dynamics of its marketing practices.