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Making Africa middle class: From poverty reduction to the production of inequality in Tanzania

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  • Maia Green

Abstract

type="main" xml:id="sea212032-abs-0001"> Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa are moving toward middle-income status at the same time as their middle classes are growing in size and influence. This article explores the role of middle-class economic strategies in bringing about structural changes in the organization of Tanzania's rural economy. Middle-class income strategies oriented toward a mediated relationship with agricultural production depend on the enclosure of productive resources on which rent can be levied and on specific styles of cultural performance. The growth of the middle classes in Tanzania has important implications for inequality, but the extension of middle-class cultural styles is not solely concerned with differentiation. It is part of a wider cultural shift in everyday social practice in Tanzania.

Suggested Citation

  • Maia Green, 2015. "Making Africa middle class: From poverty reduction to the production of inequality in Tanzania," Economic Anthropology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 2(2), pages 295-309, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecanth:v:2:y:2015:i:2:p:295-309
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carol B. Thompson, 2012. "Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA): advancing the theft of African genetic wealth," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(132), pages 345-350, June.
    2. Hickey, Sam, 2013. "Beyond the Poverty Agenda? Insights from the New Politics of Development in Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 194-206.
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    5. repec:bla:devpol:v:21:y:2003:i:1:p:67-91 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Ellis, Frank & Mdoe, Ntengua, 2003. "Livelihoods and Rural Poverty Reduction in Tanzania," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(8), pages 1367-1384, August.
    7. Ellis, Frank & Bahiigwa, Godfrey, 2003. "Livelihoods and Rural Poverty Reduction in Uganda," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(6), pages 997-1013, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sibel Kusimba & Yang Yang & Nitesh Chawla, 2016. "Hearthholds of mobile money in western Kenya," Economic Anthropology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 3(2), pages 266-279, June.
    2. Maia Green, 2021. "The work of class: Cash transfers and community development in Tanzania," Economic Anthropology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 8(2), pages 273-286, June.
    3. repec:plo:pone00:0184616 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Katherine A. Snyder & Emmanuel Sulle & Deodatus A. Massay & Anselmi Petro & Paschal Qamara & Dan Brockington, 2020. "“Modern” farming and the transformation of livelihoods in rural Tanzania," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(1), pages 33-46, March.
    5. Allegretti, Antonio & Ayilu, Raymond K. & Okafor-Yarwood, Ifesinachi M. & Standen, Sophie & Hicks, Christina C., 2025. "Beyond growth? Understanding the grassroots entrepreneurship of women fish processors in Ghana," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).

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