The difference between local and national capitalism, and why local capitalisms differ from one another: A Marxist approach

This paper develops a notion of 'local capitalisms'. Starting from a particular, Marxist theorisation of capitalism and of the state, local capitalism is analysed as a nexus of production, reproduction of people, and the state within a locality. The latter construct, and are constructed by, specific relations of class, gender, ethnicity and age, themselves internally related. On this basis one can specify the 'vertical difference' of local from national capitalisms. Combined and uneven development leads to both commonalities and differentiation between localities, enabling us to understand the nature and origins of 'horizontal' differences between local capitalisms. Both capitalism and the state are understood as riven by contradictions, some centrally involving space, place and scale. Consequent disruptions to local capitalisms, and the bases for local struggle by the oppressed and exploited, are discussed. The paper concludes by reflecting on the differences between my theorisation and mainstream approaches to 'comparative capitalisms'. © The Author(s) 2013.