Agrarian organisations and political parties in Europe, 1870-1939

Abstract

From the 1870s onwards, diverse types of agrarian associations were born in different European countries. They introduced two new elements in comparison to pre-existing associations: on the one hand, local associations that aimed at different types of economic cooperation multiplied, and, on the other, new agrarian lobbies characterised as associations came into being. The two were connected in various ways: local associations often were united in federations, whereas national associations tried to mediate the relationship of local associations with the state or promoted their creation. These associations developed throughout the first third of the 20th century and eventually reshaped rural society and the agricultural sector. In certain countries, they played a leading role in the birth of agrarian or peasant parties. However, it seems that in general terms these parties were born in places where agrarian associations did not become efficient as intermediaries between agricultural interests and the government. A comparative analysis of the evolution of agrarian associations and agrarian and peasant parties before World War Two will be the centre of our chapter.