TRANS F O R M AT I O N CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SOUTHERN AFRICA THIS ISSUE: Land Reform HENRY BERNSTEIN O N THE WAY FORWARD IN PEASANT STUDIES MOKONG SIMON MAPADIMENG REVIEWS POST-APARTHEID LAND REFORM POUCY STEPHEN GREENBERG LINKS LAND REFORM POUCY DEVELOPMENT TO NEO-LIBERALISM MORE BROADLY LUNGISILE NTSEBEZA CONSIDERS THE CONTINUING POTENCY OF CHIEFLY POWER IN RURAL AREAS TRANSFORMATION critical perspectives on Southern Africa ISSN 0258-7696 EDITORS: John Daniel (HSRC), Shirley Brooks, Bill Freund, Adam Habib, Gerhard Mare, Imraan Valodfa (University of Natal), Lindy Stiebel (University of Durban-Westville). Suryakathie Chetty (Website Editor). CORRESPONDING EDITORS: Keith Breckenridge, Mike Morris, Vishnu Padayachee (University of Natal), Debbie Posel (University of the Witwatersrand), David Kaplan, Dave Lewis, Mary Simons (University of Cape Town). INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Henry Bernstein, Colin Bundy (SOAS, University of London), Gillian Hart (University of California), Mahmood Mamdani (Columbia University), Martin Murray (SUNY Binghamton), Dan O'Meara (University de Quebec a Montreal), Terence Ranger (University of Zimbabwe), John Saul (York University), EllingN Tjenneland (Christian Michelsen Institute, Norway), Gavin Williams (University of Oxford). PUBLICATION GUIDELINES: We ask contributors to submit two (2) typed copies, following the format (on such issues as references and notes) of articles in this issue of TRANSFORMATION. Whilst the journal will cater for work at any level of abstraction, or detail, a number of criteria will guide the editors in selection of material for inclusion. Articles should aim for academic rigour but also clarify the political implications ofthe issues discussed. We are concerned not to compete with other South African journals that may cover related ground but in different ways - this will govern our selection principles. All articles will be assessed anonymously by the referees. Contributions should preferably not exceed the following lengths: Analytical articles: 8 000 words Debates, comment and review articles: 3 000 words Also see inside back cover 'Notes for Contributors'. The views expressed in TRANSFORMA TJON do not necessarily reflect those of the editors. EDITORIAL and CONTRIBUTIONS ADDRESS: TRANSFORMATION Programme of Economic History University of Natal DURBAN 4041 South Africa E-mail & Website: transform@nu.ac.za / www.transformation.und.ac.za SUBSCRIPTION RATES and ADDRESS at the back of this issue. TRANS 52 (2003) FORM ATI O N Critical perspectives on Southern Africa CONTENTS Editorial Comment Bill Freund Article Farewells to the Peasantry 1 Henry Bernstein suggest why, despite its remarkable intellectual history, debates about the nature of the peasantry probably are no longer relevant. However, studies of agrarian petty commodity production and the relations of class and capital to rural life and agriculture remain vital. Commentary The Land Reform for Agricultural Development Sub-Programme: 20 opportunity for or constraint to land reform, rural economic development and poverty alleviation Post-apartheid government policy movement on land reform since 1994 is laid out by Mokong Simon Mapadimeng. Articles 42 Land Reform and Transition in South Africa Land reform has become integrated into the broader neo-liberal strategies adopted by the post-apartheid government. It is essentially only elites who will benefit, argues Stephen Greenberg, from current policies. Land Rights and Democratisation: rural tenure reform in South *>8 Africa's former bantustans Lungisile Ntsebeza questions the government's intentions with regard to the official future of chiefs. Prospects of democratic local government clash with increasing willingness to compromise with local chiefly power. TRANSFORMATION 52 (2003) ISSN 0258-7696 Reviews Jonny Steinberg (2002) Midlands, reviewed by Cherryl Walker. 96 Gillian Hart (2002) Disabling Globalization: places of power in io1 post-apartheid South Africa, reviewed by Christian M Rogerson. Joseph E Stiglitz (2002) Globalization and its Discontents, 104 reviewed by Bill Freund.