Agricultura e desenvolvimento econômico no Brasil: os debates nas décadas de 50 a 70

The aim of this essay is to put forth in a systematized way some issues which were in the core of the debates on "agriculture and economic development in Brazil" that took place between the decade of the 50's and the early 70's. Therefore, starting from a selection of various theses on the subject, the text is organized taking in consideration two cutrents of economic thought: neoclassical economics and political economy. The conclusion is that regardiess of the theoretical and conceptual framework that is used by each cunent of thought thereis a tendency to considerthe agricultural sector as"inefficient"inthe theses in vogue until the middle of the 60's. Afterwards the agricultural sector is viewed as "efficient" or "functional" t o the process of capital accumulation in Brazil