This monograph began with an argument for a ‘pragmatic’ methodological position, on the basis of which my definition of development and my economic concepts were theorised. These were then used to analyse capitalist development, the international capitalist system and the factors underpinning underdevelopment at the periphery. Within this framework, the focus turned to agriculture's role in development, the character of rural social structure and the economics and politics of planned rural development. The arguments are thus cumulative, with each consecutive part depending on those preceding it, but all are intended to contribute in their own right towards understanding the relationship between social structure and development

My basic assumption throughout has been that social structure, as a variable alongside environmental and other factors, is central to development. My aim has been to demonstrate this as a very broad proposition, as well as elaborating upon its significance at levels of abstraction ranging from modes of production in general, through the CMP and the international economy, to the agrarian social structure. This objective required extensive discussion of the concepts of social structure and development. ‘Social structure’ was analysed in terms of its various economic structures (relations of production, dependence–extroversion, etc.), political structures (the state) and social classes. ‘Development’ was discussed in terms of its economic significance concerning productive capacity, departments of production and the Agrarian Question.