petty commodity production

petty commodity production

(MARXISM) the production of goods for the market (commodities) by people who own the means of production but who may not usually hire waged labour. In non-Marxist terms these people are self-employed producers. The term simple commodity production usually means the same. The term is sometimes used for the economic activity of PEASANTS and has been much discussed as applicable to small-scale producers in contemporary THIRD WORLD cities. See COMMODITIES AND COMMODITY PRODUCTION.