Final answer:
Farmers typically follow a settlement pattern of scatting across the landscape, creating agricultural communities which are fundamental to the development of larger societies and cities. This pattern has influenced both historical and modern political and economic philosophies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common settlement pattern found in much of the world consists of farmers scattering across the landscape. Unlike hunter-gatherers who move frequently due to resource scarcity, agriculturalists tend to settle in one location to grow crops and raise livestock. Over time, some regions, like New England, initially had communal-style agricultural villages, which transitioned to independent farming and served to enhance a sense of individualism. In contrast, in the wide-open spaces of the Plains and the Mountain West, the sparse population resulted in more isolated farms. This settlement pattern influences political and economic philosophies, as seen in early civilizations where agriculture supported larger population growth and the development of cities where food surplus was distributed among urban centers.
So, the correct answer to the question regarding the common settlement pattern among farmers is (c) Scattering across the landscape.