The Peasant Question

The Peasant Question refers to the debate about the future of rural farmers, particularly small landholders and laborers, in the context of economic and social change. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, modernization, industrialization, and land reforms raised questions about whether peasants would find their livelihood threatened or could benefit through integration into broader economic systems. The core issue was how to improve their living conditions, rights, and stability while balancing modernization with social justice, often highlighting conflicts between agrarian traditions and the push for urban-industrial development.