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E. the need for goods), whose satisfaction may not be separated from the consequences it has on others. e. of complementarity, because their simultaneous realization is a necessary condition for civilization; and of dependence, because the modes of realization of each are subject to the non-interference in the realization of the other two. The relations between industry and agriculture and the preference for either small or large estates are viewed in light of these premises and never in terms of a greater production capacity of one solution over the other.

23 The “man” who shapes up in the field is thus different from that which is formed in the factory; in short, he is better suited to promote the process of civilization in its three aspects. One may wonder what kind of agriculture Romagnosi prefers. Maybe the capitalistic, advocated by Gioia, for example, who addresses the old question of whether to prefer small or large estates exclusively in terms of productivity? As has been briefly mentioned, Romagnosi is against big landed estates and rather prefers smaller estates, cultivated directly by the owners.

It is highly in the interest of the State that the number of small land owners multiplies”, he notes, without any concern for possible excessive “land fragmentation”. His ideal society is made of many small farming properties, where, as stated by one of his pupils, “the sense of property rehabilitates the soul, the delectable surge of expectations that make a painful present bearable in view of a future of rest, it warms and improves the mind and heart of the farmer”. In this society, a more evident “equalization of powers” is achieved; further, the process of civilization is fully realized, unlike in the case of industrial societies subject to constant turmoil.