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Rural Idyll Without Rural Sociology? Changing Features, Functions and Research of the Czech Countryside

Author

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  • Šimon Martin

    (Local and Regional Studies, Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Sciences)

  • Bernard Josef

    (Local and Regional Studies, Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

The development of the Czech countryside differs in many ways from trajectories typical for Eastern and Central European rural areas in the last 25 years. In our article, we discuss the nature of the ‘Czech exceptionalism’, with reference to three examples, namely population development, the dynamics of rural/agricultural labour markets and rural governance. Firstly, we describe the major driving forces behind rural development in Czechia over the past 25 years and how these forces are reflected in the academic discourse. Secondly, we argue that an important feature of rural regions in Czechia is their population growth combined with a rapid labour market transformation and a low social importance of agriculture. All these changes are interpreted as a shift towards multifunctionality of rural areas rather than as a general trend towards post-productivism; indeed, this is because large parts of rural areas remain economically based on industrial production. The ongoing transformations have been reflected only partially in an academic discourse. In conclusion, we argue that there is a need to re-examine the use of EEC as a concept framing the position of sociology in rural research.

Suggested Citation

  • Šimon Martin & Bernard Josef, 2016. "Rural Idyll Without Rural Sociology? Changing Features, Functions and Research of the Czech Countryside," Eastern European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 22(1), pages 53-68, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:eaeuco:v:22:y:2016:i:1:p:53-68:n:3
    DOI: 10.1515/eec-2016-0003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Petrick, Martin & Weingarten, Peter (ed.), 2004. "The role of agriculture in Central and Eastern European rural development: engine of change or social buffer?," Studies on the Agricultural and Food Sector in Transition Economies, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), volume 25, number 93023, February.
    2. Ron Martin & Peter Sunley, 2006. "Path dependence and regional economic evolution," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 6(4), pages 395-437, August.
    3. Baum, Sabine & Weingarten, Peter, 2004. "Developments of rural economies in Central and Eastern Europe: an overview," Rural Areas and Development, European Rural Development Network (ERDN), vol. 2, pages 1-23.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bernard Josef, 2018. "Rural Quality of Life – Poverty, Satisfaction and Opportunity Deprivation in Different Types of Rural Territories," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 10(2), pages 191-209, June.

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