Applying Political Ecology to Agricultural Land Use: Theoretical Perspectives on Sustainability and Rural Development

Abstract

Agricultural land use remains a critical concern in contemporary debates on sustainability, food security, and rural development. As the global population grows and environmental pressures intensify, efforts to reform agricultural systems have gained urgency. However, many of these interventions—such as climate-smart agriculture, sustainable intensification, and technological innovations—frequently prioritize technical efficiency and market-based solutions while overlooking the structural political and economic forces that shape land use practices. This paper proposes that political ecology offers a robust and interdisciplinary framework to understand and address the complexities of agricultural transformation. By examining how power, history, governance, and access to resources intersect with ecological systems, political ecology enables a deeper analysis of the underlying causes of rural inequality, environmental degradation, and socio-economic marginalization. Drawing on recent theoretical literature and empirical case studies from diverse geographic regions, this study explores how political ecology critiques dominant sustainability paradigms and reveals the uneven outcomes of development projects. The paper identifies key dimensions of political ecology—such as scale, access, discourse, and resistance—that are crucial in unpacking the dynamics of land tenure, state policy, corporate interests, and local agency. Through case examples including smallholder agroecology, large-scale land acquisitions, and community-based reforestation, the research illustrates how communities both adapt to and resist external pressures within broader neoliberal and climate governance regimes. The article employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative insights from interviews, focus groups, and document analysis with spatial data on land use changes. It also engages with contemporary policy debates, arguing that inclusive, participatory, and historically grounded approaches are essential for achieving equitable and ecologically viable agricultural systems. Key findings indicate that without addressing underlying power imbalances, even well-intentioned sustainability initiatives may exacerbate inequalities or fail to produce lasting benefits for marginalized groups. Ultimately, the paper argues that political ecology is not only a diagnostic tool but also a guiding framework for designing transformative rural development policies. By foregrounding justice, equity, and local knowledge, political ecology contributes to a reimagining of agricultural futures that are more resilient, inclusive, and grounded in place-based realities.