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Paper short abstract:

This essay explores the concept of racial capitalism, tracing its origins from colonialism and the slave trade to its modern manifestation in Canada's Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), in which farm workers from South America and the Caribbean are temporarily employed on Canadian farms.

Paper long abstract:

This essay delves into the concept of racial capitalism, examining its historical roots and contemporary implications. Racial capitalism, the intertwining of race and capitalism, emerged from the exploitation and hierarchies present in pre-colonial and feudal societies. The onset of capitalism did not replace these inequalities but rather amplified them, making race inseparable from the capitalist system. Colonialism and the slave trade further deepened racial capitalism, as Europe's imperial conquests drew national divides and economic dependence on colonized countries, leaving a legacy of poverty and racial disparities.

Canada's Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) illustrates how racial capitalism persists in modern times. Migrant farmworkers, primarily from the Caribbean, come to Canada for temporary employment, enduring exploitative conditions, isolation, and discrimination. These workers are denied the same rights as Canadian labourers and are unable to apply for permanent residency or citizenship. SAWP allows Canadian agribusinesses to profit from cheap labor, contributing to their dominance in the country's food supply chain. However, the benefits are disproportionately distributed, with managers (predominantly from the Global North) gaining significant profits while farmworkers (largely from the Global South) receive minimal wages. This exploitative program demonstrates the need for a comprehensive understanding of racial capitalism in the context of international development. While development initiatives aim to alleviate global disparities, they often exacerbate racialization and economic dependency. Recognizing the complexities of racial capitalism is crucial for creating a more equitable and just global economy and environment, where historical injustices are not perpetuated but instead addressed and rectified.