From Esmeraldas to the world: Primitive Accumulation of Capital and Managing Populations in the second half of the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

The article describes the insertion of the province of Esmeraldas (Ecuador) into the global market beginning in the second half of the nineteenth century. From the standpoint of political economics and post-colonial studies, the paper argues that, in only one decade (1846-1857), the foundation was laid for developing capitalism in the region. After a brief explanation of how “the law of the jungle” was established in the colonial period, the mechanisms used for promoting the indebtedness enabling the population to participate in the marketing network are examined in depth, with a special focus on the commercial and cultural environment of Esmeraldas during the process of primitive accumulation of capital.