Agrarian socialism
Encyclopedia
Agrarian socialism is a socioeconomic political system which combines an agrarian way of life with socialist
economic policies.
When compared to standard socialist systems which are generally urban/industrial (thus often focused on centralisation and a comprehensive state), internationally oriented
, and more progressive
/liberal in terms of social orientation, many agrarian socialist movements have tended to be rural (with an emphasis on decentralization and smaller government
), locally focused, and traditional/conservative.
Agrarian socialism applies to predominantly pre-industrial, non-urbanized demographics. The emphasis of agrarian socialists is therefore on control, ownership and utilisation of land rather than the means of production
.
have been more agrarian than industrial. For example, Mao Zedong
's view that the peasantry could be tapped as a revolutionary
force in modern society (a major aspect of Maoist theory). However, Mao always saw his theoretical developments as extensions of Marxism-Leninism
and they were grounded in the fundamental Marxist idea that development of the productive forces
predisposes Communism
.
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
economic policies.
When compared to standard socialist systems which are generally urban/industrial (thus often focused on centralisation and a comprehensive state), internationally oriented
Proletarian internationalism
Proletarian internationalism, sometimes referred to as international socialism, is a Marxist social class concept based on the view that capitalism is now a global system, and therefore the working class must act as a global class if it is to defeat it...
, and more progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
/liberal in terms of social orientation, many agrarian socialist movements have tended to be rural (with an emphasis on decentralization and smaller government
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
), locally focused, and traditional/conservative.
Agrarian socialism applies to predominantly pre-industrial, non-urbanized demographics. The emphasis of agrarian socialists is therefore on control, ownership and utilisation of land rather than the means of production
Means of production
Means of production refers to physical, non-human inputs used in production—the factories, machines, and tools used to produce wealth — along with both infrastructural capital and natural capital. This includes the classical factors of production minus financial capital and minus human capital...
.
Agrarian communism
Certain forms of communismCommunism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
have been more agrarian than industrial. For example, Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong, also transliterated as Mao Tse-tung , and commonly referred to as Chairman Mao , was a Chinese Communist revolutionary, guerrilla warfare strategist, Marxist political philosopher, and leader of the Chinese Revolution...
's view that the peasantry could be tapped as a revolutionary
Revolution
A revolution is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.Aristotle described two types of political revolution:...
force in modern society (a major aspect of Maoist theory). However, Mao always saw his theoretical developments as extensions of Marxism-Leninism
Marxism-Leninism
Marxism–Leninism is a communist ideology, officially based upon the theories of Marxism and Vladimir Lenin, that promotes the development and creation of a international communist society through the leadership of a vanguard party over a revolutionary socialist state that represents a dictatorship...
and they were grounded in the fundamental Marxist idea that development of the productive forces
Productive forces
Productive forces, "productive powers" or "forces of production" [in German, Produktivkräfte] is a central idea in Marxism and historical materialism....
predisposes Communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
.
See also
- Eco-socialismEco-socialismEco-socialism, green socialism or socialist ecology is an ideology merging aspects of Marxism, socialism, green politics, ecology and alter-globalization...
- Collective farmingCollective farmingCollective farming and communal farming are types of agricultural production in which the holdings of several farmers are run as a joint enterprise...
- LocalismLocalism (politics)Localism describes a range of political philosophies which prioritize the local. Generally, localism supports local production and consumption of goods, local control of government, and promotion of local history, local culture and local identity...
- Democratic KampucheaDemocratic KampucheaThe Khmer Rouge period refers to the rule of Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen, Khieu Samphan and the Khmer Rouge Communist party over Cambodia, which the Khmer Rouge renamed as Democratic Kampuchea....
- Khmer RougeKhmer RougeThe Khmer Rouge literally translated as Red Cambodians was the name given to the followers of the Communist Party of Kampuchea, who were the ruling party in Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, led by Pol Pot, Nuon Chea, Ieng Sary, Son Sen and Khieu Samphan...
- Types of socialismTypes of socialismThe word socialism refers to a broad range of theoretical and historical socio-economic systems, and has also been used by many political movements throughout history to describe themselves and their goals, generating numerous types of socialism...
Sources
- Bissett, Jim. Agrarian Socialism in America: Marx, Jefferson, and Jesus in the Oklahoma Countryside, 1904-1920. University of Oklahoma Press, 2002.
- Dejene, Alemneh. Peasants, Agrarian Socialism, and Rural Development in Ethiopia. Westview Press, 1987.
- Lipset, Seymour. Agrarian Socialism: Cooperative Commonwealth Federation in Saskatchewan : A Study in Political Sociology. University of California Press, 1971.
- Wilkison, Kyle G. Yeomen, Sharecroppers and Socialists: Plain Folk Protest in Texas, 1870-1914. Texas A&M University Press, 2008.