At a time when there is major reorientation of rural economies in Europe, and the emergence of new possibilities both for governance and for conflict, this book brings together a group of leading academics in the fields of geography, sociology and anthropology to examine how such changes are taking place in the west of Europe. It describes, analyses and theorises the role of networks and social capital in rural development in six countries: Finland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Scotland and Sweden, and addresses the tension between studying 'local' rural development and the 'globalized' nature of modern economies and societies. An approach to networks and social capital is used as a way of drawing attention to the non-economic dimensions of rural development and society. The book stresses that the links between society and economics are of key importance.

Contents: Preface; Introduction, Arnar Ã?rnaason, Andrea Nightingale, Mark Shucksmith and Jo Vergunst; Networks for local development: aiming for visibility, products and success, Esko Lehto and Jukka Oksa; Social capital in rural areas: public goods and public services, Claudio Cecchi; Gendered social capital : exploring the relations between civil society and the labour market, Susanne Stenbacka and Karin Tillberg Mattsson; Identity-building in regional initiatives for rural development: comparing Ireland's lake district and Norway's mountain region, Torill Meistad Frances Hannon and Chris Curtin; The role of identity in contemporary rural development processes, Frances Hannon and Chris Curtin; Using environmental resources: networks in food and landscape, Jo Vergunst, Arnar Ã?rnason, Ronald Macintyre and Andrea Nightingale; Conclusions: comparing rural development, Jo Vergunst and Mark Shucksmith; References; Index.