Sure, but assuming that (like was typically the case in our world) there is no real chance of overthrowing your overlords, what you want is magic that makes the best of a bad situation. Something that frees up as much of your time and wealth as possible, and which maximises the yield of whatever you have would be desirable. After all, taxes are usually fixed, so if you have a bad crop it is a complete disaster, while if you have a good crop maybe you actually can afford a little pleasure in life.
So long as your rulers aren't hauling you off to fight, and do manage to keep the beasties and bandits at bay, and there isn't a feud tradition amongst the farmers, you have a fairly peaceful community....you can still be dreadfully downtrodden and still be peaceful! (in fact, this is how many peoples ensure that their peasantry stays peaceful......)
--Bryan
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