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  • © 2017

Social Capital and Local Development

From Theory to Empirics

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Provides a close scrutiny of the economic implications of social capital, in particular with regard to European rural areas
  • Focuses on the one-to-one relationship between social capital and governance
  • Proposes an original and unique methodology for understanding and measuring social capital

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Table of contents (19 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxiv
  2. Social Capital and Local Development in European Rural Areas: A Conceptual Framework

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Introduction: Motivation, Aim and Contributions

      • Elena Pisani, Asimina Christoforou, Laura Secco, Giorgio Franceschetti
      Pages 3-22
  3. A Methodological Approach to the Evaluation of the LEADER Initiative

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 107-107
    2. Evaluation of Social Capital in LEADER: What’s In and What’s Out?

      • Elena Pisani, Asimina Christoforou
      Pages 109-134
    3. Indicators Proposed for the Evaluation of Social Capital in Local Action Groups

      • Elena Pisani, Giorgio Franceschetti, Riccardo Da Re, Maria Castiglioni
      Pages 201-226
  4. LEADER and Social Capital: Comparative Analysis and Discussion

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 227-227
    2. Practicing Social Capital in Local Development: How the Method Applies to Real-World Cases

      • Elena Pisani, Asimina Christoforou, Catie Burlando, Riccardo Da Re, Giorgio Franceschetti
      Pages 229-254
    3. Regional Comparisons: A Discussion on Social Capital and Local Development

      • Asimina Christoforou, Elena Pisani, Catie Burlando
      Pages 281-301
  5. LEADER and Social Capital: Regional Case Studies

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 303-303

About this book

This book addresses the role of social capital in promoting rural and local development. The recent financial and economic crises have exposed the European Union (EU) to an increased risk of social exclusion and poverty, which are now at the heart of its economic, employment and social agenda with explicit reference to rural and marginal areas (Europe 2020). The authors' work from the notion that rural development is not imposed from the ‘outside’, but depends also on endogenous factors, namely local cultural and ecological amenities, eco-system services, and economic links with urban areas which expand rural opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, employment and sustainable development.

Social capital is of paramount importance because it helps build networks and trusting relations among local stakeholders in the public and private spheres,  and supporting the enhancement of governance of natural resources in rural areas

Editors and Affiliations

  • University of Padova , Legnaro, Italy

    Elena Pisani, Giorgio Franceschetti, Laura Secco

  • Athens University of Economics and Business, Athens, Greece

    Asimina Christoforou

About the editors

Elena Pisani is Assistant Professor of Principles of Economics, Project Planning and Evaluation for Local and Sustainable Development at the University of Padova, Italy.

Laura Secco is Associate Professor in Forest Policy and Governance and in Environmental and Social Responsibility in Local Development Processes at the University of Padova, Italy.

Giorgio Franceschetti is Emeritus Professor of Economics, Rural Planning and Development Cooperation at the University of Padova, Italy.

Asimina Christoforou is Adjunct Professor of International and European Economic Studies at the Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access