The Fulcrum of Civilization: The Role of Agriculture, Cities, National Cultures, and Demography in the Development of Human Society
The question of what lies at the foundation of civilization’s formation has occupied the minds of philosophers, historians, sociologists, and economists for centuries.
The question of what lies at the foundation of civilization’s formation has occupied the minds of philosophers, historians, sociologists, and economists for centuries.
One of the key revolutionary moments in the development of human society, according to various approaches, is the transition from a nomadic (hunter-gatherer) lifestyle to a sedentary and agrarian one. This transition, known as the Neolithic Revolution, led to the emergence of the first permanent human settlements. In this context, a hypothesis arises: agriculture served as the critical "fulcrum" from which the development of civilization began, while subsequent structures—urban culture, state institutions, and financial systems—are consequences rather than causes of civilizational progress.
The purpose of this article is to analyze this perspective and examine the role of rural and urban environments as complementary components of human society’s ecosystem, rather than mutually exclusive ones, as is often claimed by proponents of various ideological concepts, such as fascism or communism. In such ideologies, rural areas are seen as a brake on civilization, while the transition to urban life is considered a key milestone in development.
Special attention is given to the fact that many forms of national culture and even blood-based (tribal) nationalism have rural, sedentary origins and are closely tied to a person’s rootedness in the land. Additionally, the article touches on the demographic challenges arising from imbalances between rural and urban areas.
The Agrarian Basis of Civilization
The Neolithic Revolution and the Transition to Sedentism
The shift from a nomadic to a sedentary way of life marked a fundamental change in human economic activity, ultimately leading to the formation of complex social structures and institutions. Before this, humans were engaged in the constant, individual search for resources, relying on hunting and gathering. However, with the development of agriculture and animal husbandry, they gained a relatively stable food base and a need to unite in large labor collectives to enhance productivity.
Agriculture allowed for the planning of food production and the formation of surpluses, which stimulated population growth and the development of crafts. Sedentism fostered the emergence of more differentiated social roles, the accumulation of material wealth, the establishment of stable cultural traditions, and the beginnings of bureaucratic governance.
The Cultural and Social Aspect of Sedentism
In an agrarian society, the village becomes not only a center of production but also a hub of cultural and national identity. Permanent residence in a particular area cultivates a sense of belonging and attachment to the cultivated land, which subsequently shapes a nation’s mentality, traditions, and customs.
This attachment borders on a blood tie to the landscape, the history of the place, and its natural features. Fundamental values associated with family, community, and collective labor are largely instilled in rural settings. People absorb the nature of their homeland, the place where they were born, grew up, and built their families—an inseparable bond with the land they cultivate. A conscious rooting of national culture and lifestyle emerges, deeply connected to the area of residence and the cultivated land.
Rural Roots of National Cultures and Tribal Nationalism
True blood-based (tribal) nationalism, as well as the traditional national cultures of many peoples, originates from rural communities and sedentary lifestyles.
Connection to the land: Tribal identity is formed around specific territories, with a deep attachment to them. The long-standing connection of multiple generations to the land fosters a sense of unity with it.
Formation of traditional customs: Traditions, rituals, folk crafts, festivals, and family ceremonies are historically rooted in rural life and are inseparable from the characteristics of the territory.
Preservation of national distinctiveness: Sedentism promotes the transmission and consolidation of cultural traditions, taboos, norms, and values, which over time can acquire legendary or mythological significance and later form the basis of nationalist ideologies—or parodies thereof, as seen in today’s imperialist simulacra (parodies of national ideologies).
Thus, rural areas and sedentism not only laid the groundwork for economic development but also became the source of national and cultural identities, shaping political and social processes within states. Importantly, rural areas preserved and safeguarded national culture, language, and traditions. In contrast, cities, with their cosmopolitanism, diversity, and internationalism, became places where national identities were diluted, reprocessed, and often erased.
The City as a Place of Exchange and Power
The Function of the City in Historical Context
Cities originally emerged as places for the exchange of goods and crafts. They began as hubs built around markets and as part of the market’s infrastructure. Their location along trade routes, at convenient transportation nodes (rivers, coastlines, caravan paths), made them ideal meeting points and centers where different peoples and cultures intersected. Over time, cities acquired roles beyond trade, becoming administrative, political, and cultural centers.
Concentration of power: Governmental institutions, religious organizations, and royal courts were established in cities. This development was a logical consequence of the need to ensure the safety of market participants and uphold the legality of transactions.
Financial role: The rise of banks, stock exchanges, and other economic institutions stimulated further growth but also led to social inequality.
Cultural and educational environment: Initially settlements of craftsmen, cities evolved into places where scientific and technological progress gave birth to universities, libraries, theaters, and museums.
The Interaction Between City and Countryside: Conflict or Symbiosis?
In many utopian ideological concepts, especially those tied to rapid industrialization projects (e.g., Soviet communism), cities were set in opposition to rural areas. The countryside was labeled as the city’s primary obstacle to societal and national development. Industrial progress and collectivization were prioritized as key factors for development, aiming to either displace or radically transform the traditional rural lifestyle. However, deeper analysis reveals that cities and rural areas are not adversaries or opposites but complementary elements of a unified, well-functioning ecosystem.
The “city–countryside” ecosystem: The countryside provides raw materials, food, and labor resources, while the city primarily offers markets, financial and technological tools, and innovations.
Overpopulation of cities: Without the preservation and development of the agricultural sector, migration to cities leads to imbalances (unemployment, environmental issues, housing shortages).
Preserving cultural roots: For many nations, the connection to the land is not just economic but also a profound cultural and spiritual value. Moving to the city is often perceived as a “transplantation” into an artificial environment and a detachment from one’s roots.
Land as a Guarantee of Sustainable Development
Historical Examples
Let us consider countries that have paid significant attention to their agricultural sectors: Poland, Germany, and France. Each of them demonstrates:
Protection of agricultural lands: Strict regulation of land use and subsidies for farmers.
Balance between rural and urban infrastructure: Development of transport networks and educational and healthcare facilities to retain part of the population in rural areas.
Support for local production: Preservation of unique cultural identities, creation of national brands, and stimulation of economic growth.
State Ownership of Resources
Natural resources (land, minerals) are logically regarded as national assets in many countries. There is an understanding that transferring these resources to the control of transnational corporations or large private capital without proper state regulation can lead to a loss of sovereignty and the erosion of national interests.
Public ownership: State control over strategic resources allows for the distribution of income in the interest of all citizens.
“Privatization” or “looting”: Deregulation or criminal privatization often leads to the enrichment of a small elite and, as a result, the plundering of national wealth.
Stable development: Thoughtful resource management ensures economic resilience and competitiveness while reducing dependence on external factors.
The Issue of Balance, Demographic Consequences, and Possible Solutions
Demographic Imbalances as Indicators of the “City–Countryside” Divide
The modern demographic situation in several countries illustrates that excessive urbanization creates serious social and economic problems:
The family factor: In cities, most families have only one child (or none at all), while rural areas often see families with three or more children. This means that cities “consume” human resources and cannot survive without a constant influx of migrants—often from other regions or even from abroad.
The decline of nations: When the majority of a country’s population relocates to cities, birth rates decline overall, and the social and cultural traditions of a sedentary, family-oriented lifestyle are lost. As a result, nations “age” and gradually fade, replacing their dwindling workforce with migrants, predominantly from rural areas of other countries.
Balance of interests: Historically, rural areas have ensured population growth and the preservation of national culture, while overly large metropolises generate economic growth but threaten demographic stability.
The Need for an Integrated Approach
It is clear that rural and urban areas are organic elements of a single civilizational ecosystem. Achieving harmonious development requires a comprehensive solution:
Economic factors: Subsidizing the agricultural sector, developing cooperatives, and distributing jobs evenly.
Social infrastructure: Improving access to education, healthcare, culture, and technology in rural areas.
Environmental aspects: Responsible land use, reducing environmental pollution, and implementing green innovations.
The Role of the State and Civil Society in Restoring Balance
Restoring and maintaining the balance between cities and rural areas is a strategic task for a truly national government, aimed at long-term stability and the preservation of human capital.
State regulation: Mechanisms for supporting rural areas, stimulating major investments in the agricultural sector, and limiting speculative land transactions.
Civic initiatives: Development of local communities, support for ecological and farming projects, and the promotion of rural tourism.
Educational efforts: Enhancing the prestige of agricultural professions and informing urban residents about the values and benefits of rural life (healthy food, family traditions, and an eco-friendly environment).
Control of migration flows: Developing policies that prevent mass depopulation of rural areas, and if attracting migrants is necessary, ensuring it is well-planned and supports integration rather than replacing the local population.
Conclusion
Agriculture has indeed historically served as an important "fulcrum" of the state, enabling the transition to a sedentary lifestyle and the formation of rural communities. On this foundation, not only did complex social structures emerge, but so did the core of national cultures, including blood-based (tribal) nationalism closely tied to the concept of rootedness in the land. The development of cities proved equally significant: through their trade and administrative functions, they accelerated economic and cultural progress. However, in the modern world, cities and rural areas should not be seen as antagonists—they are complementary parts of a unified ecosystem, and maintaining their balance is key to the sustainable development of any country.
Experience shows that excessive urbanization leads to demographic imbalances: declining birth rates in megacities create labor shortages, which are compensated for by migrants from other regions and countries. This situation not only alters the cultural and social fabric of the nation but also raises questions about its future population growth. For national governments, restoring the balance between rural and urban areas is a strategic priority, encompassing support for the agricultural sector, prevention of resource speculation, improvement of infrastructure, and the creation of an attractive social environment in rural areas. Such policies can help preserve demographic stability, maintain cultural diversity, and ensure long-term societal prosperity.