Pacific Northwest Research Station

Title: Bringing together local culture and rural development: findings from Ireland, Pennsylvania and Alaska

Author: Brennan, M.A.; Flint, Courtney G.; Luloff, A.E.

Date: 2009

Source: Sociologia Ruralis, Vol. 49(1): 97-112

Description: The developmental trajectories of communities are routinely explained by reference to economic history, human capital deficits, or the structure of local labour markets. The role of local culture in understanding community development or in interpreting empirical research has received less attention. We believe culture plays an important independent role in shaping community debate and action. Framing community as an interactional field emphasises the opportunities created when people who share interests come together to address local problems. Interaction and local culture are essential parts of community and community development. Appreciating community uniqueness and local culture helps in the interpretation of study data and clarifies development trajectories. Research from Ireland, Pennsylvania and Alaska illustrates the linkages between local culture and community development.

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Citation

Brennan, M.A.; Flint, Courtney G.; Luloff, A.E.  2009.  Bringing together local culture and rural development: findings from Ireland, Pennsylvania and Alaska.   Sociologia Ruralis, Vol. 49(1): 97-112.