The Wealth of Nations Book 3 Chapter 2 - The Decline of Agriculture in Post-Roman Europe

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After the fall of the Roman Empire, agriculture in Europe faced a significant decline. The collapse of trade between towns and the countryside, coupled with the concentration of land in the hands of a few wealthy landowners, led to stagnation in farming. The primogeniture law and entails, which kept estates intact and prevented land from being divided or sold, prevented agricultural progress. Landlords focused on luxury rather than improving their estates, while tenants—often slaves or peasants—had little incentive to enhance the land they worked. Over time, systems like the metayer system emerged, allowing tenants to work land for a share of the produce, but they still faced obstacles. In contrast, regions like England introduced legal reforms that improved tenant security and incentivized land improvements, contributing to greater prosperity. This chapter explores the challenges faced by agriculture in post-Roman Europe and how legal and social structures shaped its evolution.

00:00 - The Decline of Agriculture in Post-Roman Europe
00:13 - Post-Roman Chaos
00:52 - Land Ownership and Laws
02:18 - Land Management and Improvement
02:57 - Tenant Systems and Labor
03:51 - Abolition of Servitude and Rise of Metayer System
04:49 - Legal Reforms and Tenant Security
05:38 - Tenant Rights in Scotland and Europe
06:34 - Service Obligations and Public Duties
07:10 - Taxation and Its Effects
07:39 - Social Status of Farmers
08:13 - Ancient Policies and Trade Restrictions
08:53 - Conclusion