Landlord class and peasant differentiation

Historical analysis on the agrarian transition in 3 countries.

1. Terence J. Byres (2009) The landlord class, peasant differentiation, class struggle and the transition to capitalism: England, France and Prussia compared, The Journal of Peasant Studies, 36:1, 33-54 The landlord class, peasant differentiation, class struggle and the transition to capitalism: England, France and Prussia compared

2. Some Preliminary Analytical Observations Conflict as the principal underlying feature of the relationship between the classes in feudal society: “agrarian revolt is as natural to the seigneurial regime as strikes, let us say, are to large-scale capitalism” Marc Bloch. The conflict and disputes between peasants and ruling groups were about rents and services, the sanctions used to enforce its appropriation. “The conflict between the peasants as a whole on the one hand and the landowning class and its institutions on the other”

3. The demands from peasants can be sub-divided in a) individuals or groups within a village, b) peasant communities seeking village enfranchisement. Under feudalism peasantry is viewed as a single class. ‘And yet whatever distinctions and contradictions may have existed within the peasantry, they do not preclude our seeing in the peasantry of the epoch a single class, occupying a definite place in the feudal mode of production, and characterized by the anti-feudal direction of its interests and its class struggle.’ Kominsky , 1956 p. 198. All sections of the peasantry had in common their servile condition: tied to the land, subject to an array of feudal restrictions with surplus appropriated via extra-economic coercion. Peasantry as a class BUT SOCIALLY DIFFERENTIADED. Differentiation of the peasantry (3 strata) rich, middle and poor peasantry. The main conflict was lord and peasant, there was not struggle within the feudal peasantry

4. England France Prussia Landlord mediated capitalism from below Capitalism Delayed Via Junker Capitalism from Above A feudal landlord class (rendered obsolete by class struggle waged by a united peasantry) was transformed into a progressive capitalist landlord class. The transition was the 16 th century. Key factor: the enclosure of the commons and its translation into land rent. Also described by Marx as Primitive Accumulation. Unprogressive landlord class was not able to transform into capitalist farmers, while rich peasantry a potential capitalist class was constrained. This continued until 1789 Capitalist transformation was further postponed by a rent less struggle waged by poor and middle peasants A powerful feudal landlord class: the Junkers evicted the free peasantry that had existed in East Elbe. It transformed itself until the 19 th century into a class of capitalist farmers. There was an absence of a spread rich peasantry strength enough. The key period was the 16 th century: the victory of the landlords over the free peasantry.