The Sociology of Rural Life [Hardcover]

From fox-hunting to farming, the vigour with which rural activities and living are defended overturns received notions of a sleepy and complacent countryside. Alongside these developments, the rise of the organic food movement has helped to revitalize an already politicized rural population. Over the years 'rural life' has been defined, redefined and eventually fallen out of fashion as a sociological concept - in contrast to urban studies, which has flourished. This much-needed reappraisal calls for its reinterpretation in light of the profound changes affecting the countryside. First providing an overview of rural sociology, Hillyard goes on to offer contemporary case studies that clearly demonstrate the need for a reinvigorated rural sociology. Tackling a range of contentious issues, this book offers a new model for rural sociology and reassesses its role in contemporary society.

A PDF version of this book is available for free in open access via the OAPEN Library platform, www.oapen.org

Introduction and overview * History of rural sociology; community studies; Williams; Newby; ethnographic turn* New Issues in Rural Sociology (the methodological turn) * FMD Epidemic (Social and cultural impact) * The Hunting Debate (Political protest and the mobilisation and defence of traditional field sports) * BSE outbreak (A case study of an outbreak and a comment on a failed epidemic) * Badger and the transmission of bovine TB debate (The clash between farming and animal welfare group's representations and understanding of the badger) * Representations of the Rural (Images of farming in children's literature; Media coverage of the FMD outbreak; Media coverage of the 2002 'Liberty and Livelihood' Country March; 'Game to Eat' and the marketing of 'wild' food) * Conclusions (The CAP review; Rural-urban relations; Whitehall and rural areas; the Future of Rural Societies)