The end of the peasantry: discussions related to the concept of ‘peasant’ and the insufficiency in its conceptualization

Abstract

From the early of the 20th century, when the study of Anthropology focused on peasants and the peasantry, researchers have met with difficulties in identifying the concept of 'peasant.' There are many concepts of 'peasant,' and these concepts mention many important aspects of the peasantry, however, they do not adequately describe the entire diversified agricultural society throughout the world, both in the present as well as in the past. In this article, the author reviews the development of the concept of 'peasant' and the insufficiency in its conceptualization. Using evidence from China, the author mentions the origin, the development, and the existence of the peasantry in a specific society. This information helps the reader better understand the paradox that has occurred when the Western concept of 'peasant' was applied mechanically to other different cultures and socio-economic societies. Finally, the author indicates the problems that can be appear in the studies on peasants and the peasantry if the concept of 'peasant' is not clearly identified.