PEASANT POLITICS IN THE THIRD FRENCH REPUBLIC

In: Political science quarterly: PSQ ; the journal public and international affairs, Band 70, Heft 1, S. 75-86

Abstract

The 1930's are notable in the history of the French peasantry in that they introduced a phase of change, flux & ferment in sharp contrast to the previous half cent of stagnation. Cushioned by protectionism, & its basic problems largely ignored by the politicians, French agriculture was not only backward, but contained a large subsistence-type pre-capitalist element. In the 1920's agrarian pressure groups were being formed & various pol parties were trying to extend their org to the countryside. The depression resulted in Ru discontent which was soon exploited by agitators of the left & the right, of whom the right were the most successful. In spite of this, the peasants supported, & received assistance from, the 1936 Popular Front gov, which, however, introduced little that was new in agrarian policy. The aim of the gov seemed to be the survival of as many subsistence peasants as possible. Perhaps the peasants will continue to blight the Fourth Republic as they did the Third. But they have been shaken out of their previous passivity & the towns are now aware of the existence of agrarian problems. (IPSA).