ONE CAN'T BRING IN THE HARVEST OR FISH WITH LARGE NETS OR HUNT BIG ANIMALS ALONE

SO WORK MUST BE COLLECTIVE

 The Harvesters by Pieter Breughel the Elder, Flanders, 1565 / zoom

Pursuing individual gain weakens the community and communal lands become privately owned. Then people leave —"He went off to seek his fortune," is how many fairy tales begin.

The growing towns let some migrants learn a craft or become merchants — that's how a middle class grows up — but most finish as vagabonds, mercenaries or thieves. 

Those who remain on the land become sharecroppers or serfs. 

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Next,

Curbs on gain that villagers impose