Farmer’s Burden: A Historical Analysis

The “farmer’s burden” appeared in the work documents of the Party and the government as early as the 1950s. After its initial prominence in the 1980s and high-level operation in the 1990s, the “farmer’s burden” gradually evolved into a focus of widespread concern throughout the whole society. As a dynamic concept, the definition and norms of the “farmer’s burden” have always been in a state of uncertainty. This chapter attempts to explain the “farmer’s burden.” The relationships between “royal grain and national taxes” and the “farmer’s burden” cannot be separated from the long-term accumulation process given the profound historical background. The evolution of the connotation and extension of the “farmer’s burden” is always closely connected with the development process of the country and society. This chapter tries to cut three cross sections in the long span of history, with the three core variables running through them as clues and the three dimensions of the “farmer’s burden” used as standards with which to grasp and describe the issue of the “farmer’s burden.” Through comparative analysis, we clarify the direction of the “farmer’s burden” issue, reflecting the changes and development of the country and rural society.