Introduction: Beyond the rural–urban divide

Abstract

Purpose – To discuss the rural–urban dichotomy and its far-reaching implications, first and foremost from a rural sociological point of view, and at the same time, to structure the volume and present the individual chapters.

Methodology/approach – Literature review and analysis of scientific discourse.

Findings – The rural–urban dichotomy has been very persistent in demographic and other kinds of rural and urban research despite intense discussions about its shortcomings in nearly half a century. However, there are mounting arguments for alternative conceptions of rural–urban relations, some of which are found in the chapters in this volume.

Originality/value of chapter – This chapter presents some new ideas about the rural–urban dichotomy, and alternative, more realistic conceptions of rural–urban relations, at the same time as it gives an introduction to the volume.

Citation

Andersson, K., Eklund, E., Lehtola, M. and Salmi, P. (2009), "Introduction: Beyond the rural–urban divide", Andersson, K., Lehtola, M., Eklund, E. and Salmi, P. (Ed.) Beyond the Rural-Urban Divide: Cross-Continental Perspectives on the Differentiated Countryside and its Regulation (Research in Rural Sociology and Development, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1057-1922(2009)0000014003