A plea for peasant proprietors

In A Plea for Peasant Proprietors, economist and civil servant William Thomas Thornton presents a compelling argument for land reform and the promotion of smallholder farming. Originally published in the 19th century, this work critiques large land monopolies and advocates for the economic and social benefits of enabling rural peasants to own their land. With clarity and persuasive logic, Thornton shows how land ownership fosters stability, productivity, and civic virtue among the lower classes. This classic remains highly relevant today as debates about land rights, rural equity, and sustainable agriculture continue across the globe.