In the grand strategy game Victoria 3, the 1.7 update has introduced several nuanced changes that affect ideologies, political movements, and the economic direction of nations. One of the most interesting and often underappreciated ideologies is Agrarianism. With the 1.7 patch, Agrarianism has gained new relevance, especially for players who prefer a slower, more rural-focused economy. This ideology promotes land ownership, self-sufficiency, and a society centered around farming rather than rapid industrialization. In a world where industrial capitalism often dominates, Agrarianism offers a unique and rewarding gameplay experience, particularly in countries where rural labor is abundant and traditions are deeply rooted.
Understanding Agrarianism in Victoria 3
Core Principles of Agrarianism
Agrarianism is an ideology focused on rural economic structures, decentralized production, and the protection of landowners and farmers. In Victoria 3, this translates to support for economic systems that favor agriculture, such as the Peasant Economy or Trickle-Up Economics. Politically, it aligns with interest groups like the Rural Folk and Landowners. Rather than promoting factories and urbanization, Agrarianism encourages the expansion of farms, plantations, and livestock ranches.
This ideology resists the typical capitalist industrial model by discouraging wage labor and advocating for decentralized, family-based production. In gameplay terms, it offers an alternative strategy for development that can be especially powerful in resource-rich or low-population countries.
Impact of Patch 1.7 on Agrarianism
With the 1.7 update, Paradox Interactive refined several mechanics that influence the viability of non-industrial economies. These changes include:
- Improved efficiency for agricultural buildings
- More realistic food consumption patterns
- Adjusted political ideologies for interest groups
- Rebalancing of laws affecting land ownership and rural taxation
These adjustments allow Agrarian nations to compete more effectively with their industrialized counterparts, especially in the early to mid-game. Players now have greater flexibility in pursuing a rural economic path without falling drastically behind in development.
Gameplay Strategy: Building an Agrarian Economy
Choosing the Right Nation
Not all countries are suited for Agrarianism. Ideal candidates include those with:
- Vast land resources and low urbanization
- High rural population
- Limited access to coal or iron early in the game
- Strong influence of the Rural Folk interest group
Examples of suitable countries include Qing China, Ethiopia, Brazil, or parts of the Indian subcontinent. These regions naturally support an agrarian base and benefit from the emphasis on agricultural productivity.
Economic Focus: Farms and Plantations
Your first priority in an Agrarian playthrough is to expand farming output. Buildings like Wheat Farms, Livestock Ranches, and Coffee Plantations should be prioritized. Focus on:
- Maximizing employment in agriculture
- Maintaining a stable grain supply to reduce pops’ food costs
- Creating exportable surplus to earn income from trade
Use your Bureaucracy and construction points wisely. Avoid overinvesting in factories or urban infrastructure early. Instead, support the growth of agricultural output and keep taxes manageable to allow pops to afford goods.
Law Selection and Political Reform
The laws you pass will directly impact your success with an Agrarian society. In patch 1.7, some laws have been updated to better reflect their impact. For a successful Agrarian state, consider:
- Economic System: Peasant Levies or Trickle-Up Economics
- Land Reform: Traditionalism or Tenant Farmers
- Taxation: Consumption-Based Taxation (to avoid stifling rural income)
- Trade Policy: Protectionism or Mercantilism, depending on your export strategy
These laws help protect your rural economy and ensure that your political system continues to support landowners and farming populations.
Managing Interest Groups
Strengthening the Rural Folk and Landowners
To fully embrace Agrarianism, you need to keep the Rural Folk and Landowners politically powerful and loyal. These groups will generally support laws and reforms that benefit your strategy. Here’s how to manage them:
- Build buildings that employ rural workers (farms, plantations)
- Pass laws they support
- Appoint leaders from these groups to the government
Be aware, however, that empowering Landowners too much may slow down other reforms. You’ll need to balance your loyalty to traditional interests with a long-term strategy for modernization if you want to maintain relevance in the late game.
Containing the Industrialists and Intelligentsia
While Industrialists and Intelligentsia offer powerful bonuses, they often oppose Agrarianism. They support free markets, education, and rapid technological progress. During an Agrarian run, these groups might become marginalized or politically weak. You can:
- Keep them out of the government cabinet
- Avoid laws that increase their clout
- Suppress their interest groups with authority (if necessary)
Although this might seem like a loss, it helps maintain a rural-focused economy without pressure to industrialize too early.
Benefits and Challenges of Agrarianism in 1.7
Advantages
- Lower infrastructure needs compared to industrial economies
- Simpler supply chains and reduced goods shortages
- Greater political stability in traditional societies
- Potential for strong food exports and surplus population management
With proper management, your Agrarian state can be both prosperous and resilient. This is especially useful for surviving turbulent periods in the early and mid-19th century.
Drawbacks
- Slower technological progress due to weaker education investment
- Less innovation from universities or intellectual classes
- Limited military industry and logistical development
- Potential vulnerability to industrial powers in the late game
Agrarianism requires careful long-term planning. If you neglect modernization entirely, you may be overwhelmed by technologically superior rivals or fall behind in GDP and global influence.
Late-Game Transition Options
While pure Agrarianism can be sustained, many players opt to gradually transition toward mixed economies. In patch 1.7, hybrid strategies are more viable. You can retain a strong rural core while introducing select industries, such as textiles, arms, or food processing. This allows you to compete globally while maintaining cultural and economic traditions.
You might also introduce more modern economic laws while keeping your rural base intact. For example, shifting to Regulatory Bodies or Council Republics can improve infrastructure and services without dismantling your agrarian foundation.
Agrarianism’s Renewed Role in Victoria 3
Victoria 3 version 1.7 has breathed new life into Agrarianism, making it a more engaging and realistic ideology to explore. Whether you’re leading a colonial empire, a native kingdom, or a conservative monarchy, Agrarianism offers a path that values stability, land, and tradition over rapid modernization. By focusing on food security, rural development, and political cohesion, you can carve out a unique and successful place in the 19th century world stage. Embracing the soil rather than the smokestack may just be the key to long-term prosperity.