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Abstract How to grasp the policy of two systems in one family for farmers in food production in practice？ This paper proposes a multi-rationality framework under the household system tradition to dialogue with the single-rationality theoretical assumption of agricultural economics. This paper argues that the farmer rationality contains multiple dimensions and they are interconnected： it follows the principle of differential responsibility， distinguishing “family members” from “outsiders”， and conduct food production that is differentiated， “letting family members eat their own food”， and bringing about “individual self-protection”. In the meantime， it can also extend from oneself to others， and in the mutual construction of field constraints and moral reflection， it regards “outsiders” as “family members”， thereby “letting family members who are qualified eat their own food”， and bringing about “social co-protection”. This paper proposes multiple rationality based on the East Asian household system tradition， and dialogues with the single economic rationality assumption based on Western agricultural economic theory. It will help update the cognitive basis of farmer studies， build theories based on Chinese practice， and discover smallholders' paths that can promote the sustainable development of the food system.
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Received: 17 July 2024
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2024, Vol. 63 
