Agrarianism is a political and social philosophy that values rural society as superior to urban society, the independent farmer as superior to the paid worker, and sees farming as a way of life that can shape the ideal social values. It stresses the superiority of a simpler rural life as opposed to the complexity of city life, and it idealizes the farmer and the farming lifestyle. Agrarianism is deeply connected to the land, with a strong emphasis on the importance of nature and the cultivation of the soil.
The roots of agrarianism can be traced back to ancient times. In the classical era, philosophers like Hesiod and Xenophon from ancient Greece, and Cato and Varro from ancient Rome, extolled the virtues of the agricultural life. They believed that those who work the land are more virtuous and more in tune with nature. This idea was also prevalent in the Middle East and Asia, where farming was seen as a noble and essential occupation.
In the Middle Ages, the agrarian lifestyle was idealized by the feudal system, where the lord owned the land and the serfs worked it. This system was based on the belief that those who work the land have a special relationship with it, and that this relationship brings them closer to God.
The Enlightenment period saw a shift in the perception of agrarianism. Philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau began to criticize the urban lifestyle and the industrial revolution, arguing that they were corrupting society and leading to moral decay. They advocated for a return to a simpler, more natural way of life, which they believed could be found in the countryside.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, agrarianism became a political ideology in many countries. In the United States, for example, the Populist movement of the late 19th century was based on agrarian ideals. The movement was a reaction to the industrialization and urbanization of the country, and it advocated for the rights of farmers and rural communities.
In the 20th century, agrarianism also influenced the development of the Green movement, which advocates for sustainable agriculture and a more balanced relationship with nature. Today, while agrarianism as a political ideology is less prevalent, its principles continue to influence debates about agriculture, rural development, and environmental sustainability.
