Documento mecanografiado.

Contenido: Statement of the problem and theoretical approach -- Background and review of the literature -- Methodology and Procedures -- Significance of proposed research -- Project organization and timetable -- Appendix I.

The proposed research seeks to investigate the conditions influencing the emergence and reproduction of transportistas (struckers) in Bolivia and their effect upon peasant productive activities in a region in the Departament of Cochabamba. The main concern will be to identify the socio-economic and political processes where by truckers are defined as an interest group within the region and society at large and to examine the nature and consequences of their interdependency with producers. The guiding hypothesis of this study is that the successful consolidation and reproduction of transportistas rests upon their ability to control the commercialization of commodities namely, credit, transportation, and prices. In turn peasants expansion of cash-crop production and increased reliance upon technological imputs and credit will tend to increase their dependence upon truckers and other intermediaries.