The Decline of Agrarian Democracy

The Decline of Agrarian Democracy examines the profound transformation of American agrarian politics over the past century, tracing the shift from a democratic and inclusive farmers’ movement to a centralized structure of political power. In the late 19th century, agrarian movements like Populism represented a collective protest against the injustices of raw capitalism, advocating not just for farmers but for all common people. However, by the mid-20th century, the agrarian landscape had changed dramatically. Organizations such as the American Farm Bureau Federation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the system of agricultural education formed an interconnected power structure that redefined rural life and politics. This evolution, driven by the inherent dynamics of organizational survival and expansion, marked a departure from the democratic ideals of earlier agrarianism. Instead, the new power structure prioritized self-preservation and influence, often at the expense of broader inclusivity. The book delves into the mechanisms of this transformation, the principles of organizational power, and the consequences for the rural community. It highlights how this success in consolidating power often came at the cost of marginalizing those outside the dominant segment of agricultural leadership, reshaping the essence of agrarian democracy in America. This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1953.