Abstract
A practice that has alternately been at the centre and fringes of rural studies, class analysis continues to evoke heated debate regarding its ability to unpack socio-economic relations in the past and present. Taking the position that the concept of ‘class’ continues to have something useful to say, this chapter explores the evolution and place of class analysis in rural studies over the past 50 years. Calling attention to two identified ‘crises’, the chapter goes on to consider the ways in which rural class analysis is being implemented at present, and with particular reference to the influence of concepts of performance and embodiment. In so doing a strong emphasis is placed on the corporeal aspects of inter- and intra-class collaboration and contestation, whereby the personification and ‘playing out’ of moral codes and conventions constitute a determined basis for on-going tensions in contemporary rural communities. Finally, a number of suggestions are made regarding current and future gaps in the literature.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Rural Cooperation in Europe |
Subtitle of host publication | In Search of the 'Relational Rurals' |
Editors | Edward Kasabov |
Place of Publication | Basingstoke |
Publisher | Springer Nature |
Pages | 135-158 |
Number of pages | 24 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781137348890 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781137348883 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Oct 2014 |