Capitalism Penetration and Ecological Degradation in South Kalimantan: A Historical Sociology Perspective

Abstract

This article analyses the relationship between capitalism penetration and growing ecological degradation in South Kalimantan. Capitalism is manifested through excessive logging and the conversion of tropical rainforests into oil palm plantations, a practice that has been rampant since the New Order era. During the President Soeharto in office, natural resources were exploited extensively under the pretext of national development by granting forest concessions to private and state-owned companies. Continuing land clearing and concession burdens of up to 50 percent are the causes of the ecological disaster that occurred in South Kalimantan. The heavy flood phenomenon that happened in January 2021 reflects a long history of capitalism penetration on estate business rooted since the 1980s, when Forest Concession Rights holders began to intensively deforest. This fact is authoritatively opposed by some businessmen who claim that the issue of deforestation is deliberately raised as a trade policy strategy for developed countries. By using a sociological historical approach, it traces the roots of capitalism penetration and looks at to what extent of its influence to the ecological balance in South Kalimantan. Ironically, local communities also take part to strengthen the capitalism chain.