Landless Workers' Movement (MST)

Landless Workers' Movement (MST)
Name	Landless Workers' Movement (MST)
Native name	Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra
Formation	1984
Headquarters	São Paulo
Region	Brazil
Membership	350,000–1,500,000 (est.)
Leader title	National leaders

Landless Workers' Movement (MST) is a Brazilian social movement founded in 1984 that advocates for agrarian reform and rural land redistribution. It emerged from peasant mobilizations linked to peasant unions, rural workers' unions, and Catholic base communities associated with the Second Vatican Council, Leonardo Boff, and Dom Paulo Evaristo Arns. The movement has organized mass occupations, formed cooperative settlements, and engaged with parties such as the Workers' Party (Brazil), institutions like the Ministry of Agrarian Development (Brazil), and international solidarity networks including Via Campesina.

History

The MST originated in the 1970s and 1980s amidst land conflicts involving families displaced by agribusiness expansions such as Grupo Votorantim and multinational firms like Cargill and Bunge Limited. Early protests drew on tactics developed in campaigns linked to Ligas Camponesas, the legacy of leaders like João Pedro Stédile and alliances with clergy from the Ecumenical Movement and organizations such as Terra de Direitos. During the New Republic era and under administrations including José Sarney, Fernando Collor de Mello, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Michel Temer, MST confrontations with landowners often involved state agencies like the Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária and security forces including Polícia Militar (Brazil). Major milestones include large occupations in Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Maranhão, the creation of settlements such as Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra settlements, and episodes of negotiation with legislative bodies including the Chamber of Deputies (Brazil).

Ideology and Goals

MST's ideology synthesizes elements from Marxism, Liberation theology, and peasant cooperativism advocated by figures like Paulo Freire and Sergio Buarque de Holanda. Core goals include agrarian reform through land redistribution, establishment of cooperative agriculture in settlements inspired by agroecology and agroindustrial alternatives promoted by Embrapa, and defending smallholder rights against corporations such as ADM and Monsanto. The movement pursues legal recognition through litigation before courts including the Supreme Federal Tribunal (Brazil) and policy changes via alliances with political parties like Partido dos Trabalhadores and unions such as the Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores na Agricultura.

Structure and Organization

MST operates through federated regional commands, local committees, and pedagogical centers influenced by Paulo Freire’s methods and networks like Movimento Estudantil. Its leadership includes national coordinates, state coordinates, and base camp spokespeople; notable organizers have included activists linked to CUT (Central Única dos Trabalhadores), MST youth wings, and allied NGOs such as Pastoral Land Commission. Decision-making occurs in assemblies modeled on participatory practices used by Zapatista Army of National Liberation sympathizers and international forums like Via Campesina conferences. Funding and logistics have involved solidarity from international organizations including Oxfam and grassroots fundraising through cooperatives and partner universities like the University of Campinas.

Land Occupations and Settlements

MST is best known for coordinated occupations of idle estates and unused land owned by families such as the Maggi family and corporations like Aracruz Celulose. Occupations have targeted properties in agro-export regions like Mato Grosso and Bahia, often precipitating legal disputes in courts including state-level Tribunais de Justiça. After occupations, MST has sought formal titling through institutions such as the Instituto Nacional de Colonização e Reforma Agrária, creating settlements that host cooperative enterprises, schools, and health posts. Agricultural practices in settlements emphasize agroecology promoted by researchers at Embrapa and collaborations with NGOs such as Instituto Socioambiental.

Social Programs and Education

Education initiatives draw on the pedagogy of Paulo Freire and have produced schools, literacy campaigns, and technical agricultural training often run in partnership with universities like Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina and research institutes including Embrapa. Health campaigns have coordinated with public health entities like the Sistema Único de Saúde and NGOs such as Médicos Sem Fronteiras during epidemics and rural crises. Cultural projects involve theater and music linked to movements represented by figures such as Geraldo Vandré and collaborations with artists and intellectuals from institutions like Universidade de São Paulo.

Controversies and Criticism

MST has faced criticism from landowner organizations such as the Confederação da Agricultura e Pecuária do Brasil and political figures including members of DEM and Brazilian Democratic Movement. Accusations include illegal land invasions, confrontations with police such as the Polícia Federal (Brazil), and links alleged by opponents to armed radicals akin to Far-left terrorism. Legal challenges have been decided in venues like the Supreme Federal Tribunal (Brazil), while investigative reporting by outlets such as Folha de S.Paulo and O Estado de S. Paulo has scrutinized funding, tactics, and occasional violent incidents. Supporters counter with rulings favorable to land reform, endorsements from intellectuals like Noam Chomsky supporters and solidarity statements from international movements including Via Campesina allies.

International Relations and Influence

Internationally, MST participates in transnational networks such as Via Campesina, has exchanged delegations with movements like the Zapatistas and unions linked to International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations, and engaged with European solidarity groups including Friends of the MST organizations in countries such as Portugal and France. The movement has influenced agrarian debates at forums like the World Social Forum and institutions including the Food and Agriculture Organization and maintains connections with Latin American governments like those of Hugo Chávez’s Venezuela and social movements in Argentina and Uruguay.

Category:Social movements