The Right to Be Rural - Paperback

by Karen R. Foster (Editor)

In this collection, researchers analyze rural societies, economies, and governance in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia through the lens of rights and citizenship, across such varied domains as education, employment, and health. The provocative concept of a "right to be rural" illuminates not only the challenges faced by rural communities worldwide, but also underappreciated facets of community resilience in the face of these challenges. The book's central question--"is there a right to be rural?"--offers insights into how these communities are created, maintained, and challenged. The authors illustrate that citizenship rights have a spatial character, and that this observation is critical to studying and understanding rural life in the twenty-first century. Scholars and policymakers concerned with the health and well-being of rural communities will be interested in this book.

Author Biography

Karen R. Foster is Associate Professor of Sociology at Dalhousie University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Rural Futures for Atlantic Canada. Jennifer Jarman is Professor and Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies at Lakehead University.