That agrarian radicalism was a realistic response to actual conditions or an irrational and hysterical expression of farmers fears and anxieties?

Agrarian radicalism can be seen as a realistic response to the genuine economic hardships and social injustices faced by farmers, such as debt, fluctuating prices, and monopolistic practices by railroads and banks. While some elements of radicalism may have stemmed from heightened fears and anxieties, the movement's demands for reform, such as the regulation of these industries and the establishment of cooperatives, reflected legitimate grievances. Thus, agrarian radicalism combined both rational responses to systemic issues and emotional reactions to the pressures of rural life.