> I think the opposite is the interesting factor here: late-stage capitalism has demonized the ‘grinding poverty’ and ‘unremitting hardship’ of these earlier ages, to keep our present-day noses to the life-destroying grindstone.

Yet, no one chooses life of subsistence farmer if they are able to choose.

Really? Who has that choice available to them? I certainly don't - land tax necessitates profits (and $$$$$/acre to buy arable land in the first place!). The diggers and levelers certainly didn't seem interested in being forced off their land.

Enough arable land to feed family of 4 can be bought in USA for $14k (and you can buy it outside of US). Add $7k for next 50 years of property taxes.

You can also join Amish communities, if you are religious.

You won't have access to pre-modern supply chain, but you are probably eligible for social security and foodstamps, so you can exchange them for new scythe or something like that.