Social capital and rural development in Europe: A geographical perspective

Abstract

Social capital, local development and neo-endogenous approaches to rural development are described in a space-territory perspective, related to the diversity of European regions and rural areas. The European geography of rural areas and the territorial roots of local development processes reveal the contextual historical, cultural and political-institutional divides, and points of juncture. First, a critical literature review of various approaches and studies regarding social capital in local development is proposed from a human geography perspective. Secondly, a theoretical discussion based on the territorial capital framework focuses on different types and dimensions of social capital. Finally, critical insights based on empirical studies highlight a geography of inequalities observed in different European regions.