Social Capital and Rural Development : The Case of Huntingdon, Quebec

Type of resource
Author/collaborator
Title
Social Capital and Rural Development : The Case of Huntingdon, Quebec
Abstract
The author examines the efforts at rural economic restructuring in Huntingdon, a town devastated by closure of two major textile mills in 2003-2004. More specifically, by analyzing this case through the lens of the "asset based community development" model and social capital theory, the author evaluates the extent to which current initiatives on the part of the municipal government and non-governmental organizations integrate local assets and contribute to the development of positive forms of social capital. The author's research draws on semi-structured interviews with members of the government, members of non-governmental organisations and community members and finds that there are three main challenges impeding the prospects for sustainable rural economic initiatives: the misuse of power by the Mayor, the underdevelopment of bridging networks between government and community groups, and the linguistic divide within the community. The author concludes with some reflections on the lessons of the Huntingdon case for economic development theory and policy.
Type
Master's Thesis
University
Concordia University
Place
Montreal
Date
2008
# of Pages
vii-81p.
Language
en
Citation
Aboud, Geneviève. “Social Capital and Rural Development : The Case of Huntingdon, Quebec.” Master’s Thesis, Concordia University, 2008.
Find in a library
Permalink