This study reviews “
Principle of Agriculture (Nōgyō Honron)” by Nitobe Inazō, which expresses an important position in his agricultural theory. We throw light on its role as a forerunner, focusing on its monographic research scope and its holistic perspective on peasants. In addition, we pay attention to the “Ruriology”, his grasp of rural-urban relations, his assertion about the “balanced growth of agriculture, industry and commerce”, and his analysis of peasants’ psychology.
Nitobe could grasp peasants’ psychology etc. at that time, based on his egalitarian perspectives on human beings. From that holistic perspective, he was able to make a clear distinction from the centralized-top perspective, which was used to civilize peasants by the national government.
Such attitudes are relating to the “Ruriology” and his grasp of rural-urban relations. Nitobeʼs agricultural theory is positioned as a forerunner of the endogenous development theory and the monographic study of the Japanese rural sociology.
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