Lenin then examines the middle group of peasant households, which also constitute 40% of the total. Although this group is a middle group, the average cultivated area is 16.4 dessiatines, as against an overall average of 17 dessiatines; it has 7.3 head of livestock, as against an overall average of 7.6; but has an average of 3.2 draught animals as against an overall average of 3.1.
“A comparison of the number of dessiatines under crops per household with the norm given by Postnikov, shows that the farming of their own land by this group yields them only just enough for their subsistence.” (p 55)
The fact that this middle group of peasants has, on average, enough land, equipment and animals to provide for its needs would suggest it should be the most stable, but the facts showed the opposite. Firstly, the average figure obscures the fact that within this group, there are those with less than the 16 dessiatines of land required even for subsistence.
“Consequently, peasants with 10 to 16 dessiatines under crops do not cover all their expenses by farming and are also obliged to resort to outside employments. From Postnikov’s approximate estimates quoted above, we see that this group hires 2,846 workers, whereas it releases 3,389, or 543 more.” (p 55)
In other words, even within this middle group, there is differentiation. Those with less than 16 dessiatines cannot subsist, and so must also seek additional employment as wage labourers. The better off section of the group, by contrast, needs to hire wage labour.
A similar picture exists with draught animals. Analysis showed that 4 were required for a team, but the average for this group is 3.2. Again, the average disguises the fact that the poorer households had less than the average, whereas the wealthier households had at least the necessary 4. In order to overcome the problem of insufficient animals, the poorer peasants were led to yoke their animals with those of others. But, Lenin quotes Postnikov's evidence on the inefficiency of that, as it meant yoking with animals owned by peasants on the other side of the village etc., meaning time was lost in the process. Quarrels between the peasants engaged in the yoking were also frequent.
“ “In the village of Yuzkui, I was told that yokers often plough no more than one dessiatine a day, which is half the normal rate” (p. 233).” (p 57)
A similar situation existed as far as inadequate implements amongst the poorer peasants within the middle group.
Lenin concludes in relation to this middle group,
“All that has been said entitles us to describe the economic status of the middle group as follows. It comprises peasants who live exclusively on the returns from the land they cultivate themselves; the area of the latter is almost equal to the average area cultivated by the local peasantry (or somewhat less) and barely covers the family’s essential needs. But the insufficiency of animals and implements, and their uneven distribution, render the farming of this group of peasants unstable, precarious, especially in view of the menacing tendency of the top group to squeeze out the bottom and middle groups.” (p 61)
No comments:
Post a Comment