Environmental issues and capitalist land rent: the social determination of natural conditions

Abstract

The article relates the necessarily expansive dynamics of capital – as a value that appreciates – and land rent – ​​as a hallmark of social value. This relationship proves to be fundamental for a critical understanding of the environmental consequences of the expansive dynamics of capital over increasing portions of nature. It uses the Marxian category of land rent – ​​I, II and absolute –, unfolding it in the analysis of concrete situations of capitalist expansion in the countryside/environment that take place in a non-linear historicity, but fundamentally unequal and combined. Topics related to land monopoly, the regulatory role of the worst soil, the advantages and obstacles posed to agrarian capital are discussed, among others that allow us to identify the social determination of the capital-nature relationship. The article highlights the role of capital in taking advantage of advantages, generating obstacles and, mainly, in overcoming environmental crisis situations, which occurs through capitalist greening and the growing commodification of nature.