Postcapitalist Countrysides : From commoning to community wealth building

Abstract

Postcapitalist Countrysides explores the tensions that arise from the established conventions of economic production and private accumulation, as they affect life, wealth and work in rural areas. Its premise is that capitalism, as we experience it today, is incapable of solving key societal challenges – centred on social justice and sustainable livelihoods. By rethinking land, capital and labour relationships, postcapitalism offers glimpses of alternative modes of socio-economic organisation, achievable through local pre-figurative actions today and scalable through structural supports in the future. The glimpses of hopeful futures offered in this collection focus on rural places, communities and economies.

Praise for Postcapitalist Countrysides

‘A comprehensive, wide-ranging and pioneering book, with a strong economics and planning emphasis, creatively foregrounding the place of our countryside today within debates about postcapitalism.’ Keith Halfacree, Swansea University, Wales

'A critically important book that looks beyond the structural inequalities of capitalism in rural areas, and answers the question of "what is to be done". Drawing on evidence from the UK and other advanced economies, it argues for alternative postcapitalist modes of socio-economic organisation.' Natalia Mamonova, Ruralis – The Institute for Rural and Regional Research, Norway