Rural People and Communities in the 21st Century: Resilience and Transformation / Edition 1

by David L. Brown, Kai A. Schafft

Overview

Rural people and communities continue to play important social, economic and environmental roles at a time in which societies are rapidly urbanizing, and the identities of local places are increasingly subsumed by flows of people, information and economic activity across global spaces. However, while the organization of rural life has been fundamentally transformed by institutional and social changes that have occurred since the mid-twentieth century, rural people and communities have proved resilient in the face of these transformations.

This book examines the causes and consequences of major social and economic changes affecting rural communities and populations during the first decades of the twenty-first century, and explores policies developed to ameliorate problems or enhance opportunities. Primarily focused on the U.S. context, while also providing international comparative discussion, the book is organized into five sections each of which explores both socio-demographic and political economic aspects of rural transformation. It features an accessible and up-to-date blend of theory and empirical analysis, with each chapter's discussion grounded in real-life situations through the use of empirical case-study materials.

Rural People and Communities in the 21st Century is intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in rural sociology, community sociology, rural and/or population geography, community development, and population studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745641287
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	03/29/2011
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

David L. Brown is Professor and Chair of DevelopmentSociology, and co-director of the Community and RegionalDevelopment Institute at Cornell University.
Kai A. Schafft is an Associate Professor of Education atPennsylvania State University.

Table of Contents

• Part I. Thinking About Rural Places in Metropolitan Society
• 1. Rurality in Metropolitan Societies
• 2. Urbanization and Population Redistribution
• 3. Rural Politics and Governance
• Part II. Rural Communities, Institutions and Environments
• 4. Understanding Community in Rural Society
• 5. Community Institutions in Rural Society
• 6. Natural Resources and Social Change
• Part III. Rural Populations
• 7. Youth, Aging, and the Life Course
• 8. Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Rural Areas
• Part IV. Rural Economy and Socioeconomic Wellbeing
• 9. Making a Living in Rural Communities
• 10. Farms, Farmers, and Farming in Contemporary Rural Society
• 11. Poverty Across Rural People and Places
• Part V. Conclusions
• 12. A Transformed Rural Society: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Will leadership carry through on developing a clear set of goals and strategies, designed to accommodate the dramatic variations found across rural America, for achieving them? Will policy makers respond to and shape change that gives at least equal play to social justice, political regulation and sustainability as it does to economic efficiency? This book provides an essential foundation that brings us one step closer to being able to answer 'yes' to these questions."
Social Forces

"Well structured and clear in its arguments, outlining different aspects of life in rural areas: their communities and institutions, their populations and their economics. Rural and urban areas are compared and the development of rural environments over the years is outlined. The array of topics covered in the book is impressive and it is clear that the research done by the authors is vast and the level of details is meticulous."
The Kelvingrove Review

“Brown and Schafft detail the challenges of persistence and change facing rural people and places. Their call for a first-ever holistic, comprehensive rural policy for the United States should be, must be, a policy and political rallying cry for all concerned with the sustainable development of rural communities and regions in the 21st century.”
Theodore R. Alter, Co-Director, Center for Economic and Community Development, The Pennsylvania State University

“In this fast-paced global environment, it is good to be reminded of the substantive contributions that rural people have made to the well-being of our world. Brown and Schafft pursue a balanced assessment of the problems that beset many parts of rural America today, and comment on the urgency of creating a national policy and mix of programs that build on the strengths of rural people and communities. Yes, rural America matters and thanks to Brown and Schafft, we have important insights on the smart investments that must be made if we hope to ensure its long-term vitality and sustainability.”
Lionel J. “Bo” Beaulieu, Mississippi State University

“This volume is necessary reading for anyone seeking to understand the contours of change in rural America over the past 50 years. It provides a masterful overview of key dimensions of social, economic, and environmental changes, offers theoretical tools by which to explain these changes, and raises provocative questions about the future of rural America.”
Linda Lobao, The Ohio State University, Columbus