Agrarian Society

Agrarian society

An agrarian society (or agricultural) is a socio-economic structure where a significant portion of its population’s livelihood is derived from agricultural activities and the cultivation of food crops. While not all individuals exclusively engage in farming, agriculture forms a predominant economic activity, and other means of livelihood also exist within the society. These societies have their roots in the transition from hunter-gatherer communities to more advanced industrial societies, with their functioning significantly influenced by factors such as weather, climate, and seasonal variations.

Agrarian societies are one of the classifications of societies, alongside tribal and industrial societies. In an agrarian society, the majority of the population earns its income through farming and related endeavours. Notably, around two-thirds to three-fourths of the world’s population resides in agrarian societies. However, in the aftermath of the Industrial Revolution, those countries that have remained primarily agrarian tend to be among the world’s poorest.

The first agrarian societies can be traced back to approximately 3300 BCE. These early agricultural communities emerged in regions including Mesopotamia, Egypt and Nubia, the Indus Valley, and the Andes Mountains in South America. Similar developments took place in China around 2000 BCE and in areas of modern-day Mexico and Central America around 1500 BCE.

Characteristics of agrarian societies include:

The early societies always depended on the farming around them, “agrarian societies.” Most of these societies share certain characteristics. They have dense populations and are controlled by elites. Other kinds of societies were less complex, but it’s important to note that complex does not mean better, just different. Let’s understand the key characteristics of agrarian societies.

1. Occupational Structure: The primary identifier of an agrarian society lies in its occupational makeup. A significant portion of the population is engaged in agricultural pursuits, including the cultivation of plants, domestication of animals, and related activities like weaving and pottery. While other vocations do exist, agriculture forms the economic backbone.

2. Land Ownership Dynamics: Land ownership within agrarian societies tends to be unequal and hierarchical. Landlords, cultivators, sharecroppers, and landless labourers coexist. Cultivators often work their own land, whereas landlords may hire landless labourers to work in their fields.

3. Limited Specialization: Specialized roles are relatively scarce within agrarian societies. Division of labour is less intricate, often based on factors like age and gender. The society typically exhibits homogeneity in terms of occupations, religious practices, values, cultural norms, and more.

4. Village-Centric Lifestyle: Life in agrarian societies is centred around the village community. The social hierarchy, lifestyle patterns, habits, and attitudes tend to be rigid and closely linked to the village structure.

5. Central Role of Family: The family unit holds immense significance in agrarian societies. Beyond being a source of social support, families also function as economic units, with all family members actively involved in agricultural activities.

It’s important to note that industrialization has reshaped several aspects of agrarian societies. Due to increased engagement with the external world, traditional structures have become more permeable. Commercial farming has gained prominence, enabling farmers to sell their produce to support industrialized communities. As social structures have evolved, agrarian societies have integrated some features of industrial societies. Sociologically, the progression from tribal to agrarian and from agrarian to industrial societies is often viewed as a natural trajectory. As agricultural output rises, people become more involved in trade and other non-agricultural pursuits. When over 50% of the population engages in non-agricultural work, society is considered industrialized. In contemporary times, societies across the globe aim to reduce their reliance on agriculture and transition toward industrialization and diversified economic activities.