Typological-regional differences in the development of productive forces and demographic processes in the course of the transformation of European society

Abstract

The transition process from feudalist to capitalist (from dominantly agrarian to dominantly industrial) society developed differently and at a different time in different regions of Europe. The nature of these processes was influenced by the type of the social relations and by the results of the socio-political (revolutionary or by the way of reforms) changes taking place in different ways in different European states. The nature of agricultural development depended on the nature of the economic activity of great landlords and peasantry and on the nature of their mutual relations. The following types of social structure and development can be distinguished in Europe in 18-19th centuries: 1. capitalist farmers - hired workers (England-Northern France), 2. aristocracy - peasant smallholders (Mediterranian, Central Europe), 3. great landowners - free peasant landowners - landless peasantry and hired workers (Scandinavia), 4. the "Junker" type entrepreneur landlord - dependent peasant smallholders - landless peasantry and hired workers (Eastern Europe).