TECHNISCHE UND WIRTSCHAFTLICHE VERÄNDERUNGEN IN DER LANDWIRTSCHAFT UND IHR EINFLUSS AUF DIE LANDWIRTSCHAFT‐ LICHE BEVöLKERUNG SOZIOLOGISCHE ASPEKTE DER KONZENTRATION

Abstract

SummaryTechnological and Economic Changes in Agriculture and their Impact on Farm PopulationThe most important actual reaction in European agriculture to technological and economic changes is the trend towards concentration. This paper deals with the sociological consequences of concentration, without going further into the differences caused by various forms of concentration.Attention is given to: the impact of concentration on the freedom and independence of farmers; the problem of concentration of power and its control; the relations between agricultural land tenure and concentration; the influence of concentration on the position of rural people in the society and on group relationships; the importance of higher levels of education for the success of concentration; the significance of the guiding image of the ‘family farm’ within the framework of concentration; and the relations between concentration and changes in agricultural structure.The following conclusions arise from these considerations:a. The implications of concentration on the rural population do not introduce fundamental changes, but they increase the force of tendencies which were either already working in agriculture, or workingin the global society without yet having touched agriculture.b. Concentration does not offer a permanent solution to the problems of agriculture, but it is actually the best form of adjustment to changing economic and social conditions.c. Concentration is most suitable for viable farms and qualified operators. The process of concentration will promote the disappearance of submarginal economic units.d. The interdependence of agriculture, industry and trade will be considerably increased by concentration in agriculture. Remainders of economic and social independency in the rural society will be broken down. The forces of concentration promote and establish the integration of agriculture in the global society.