Áine Macken-Walsh

Towards a ‘transverse inter-sectoral debate’? A Case Study of the Rural Partnership Programme (RPP) in Post-Socialist Lithuania

Towards a ‘transverse inter-sectoral debate’? A Case Study of the Rural Partnership Programme (RPP) in Post-Socialist Lithuania By providing a forum for collaboration between diverse stakeholders, a main aim of the governance and rural development model is to ignite a representative and transverse inter-sectoral debate in relation to local development issues. This article identifies some of the determinants that arise in the transferability of the governance and rural development model from its conventional operational context of free-market liberal democracy to the post-socialist rural setting of the Ukmerge district in Lithuania, where a Rural Partnership Programme (RPP) was implemented (2003-2005). The analysis focuses specifically on how elements of the post-socialist context and other more case-specific aspects of the RPPs operation impacted on the inter-sectoral dynamics of the RPP partnership boards operation. The attitudes of the sectoral representatives towards the RPP as a model for representative and integrated rural development are explored.

TERRITORIAL GOVERNANCE, NETWORKS AND POWER: CROSS-SECTORAL PARTNERSHIPS IN RURAL POLAND

Abstract Research on the operation of territorial governance and rural development programmes is dominated by qualitative methodologies, paying little attention heretofore to the characteristics and structures of new horizontal and vertical relationship formations that are the explicit objective of the governance and rural development model. Seeking to address this deficit in the literature, this article adds to a small number of existing contributions that use social network analysis (SNA) to examine the role of inter‐organizational networks in shaping geographic functional regions in the context of governance. Rooted in the methodological perspective of SNA, the analysis focuses on relations between local actors participating in three area‐based rural partnerships in Poland, which are conceptualized as territorially embedded institutional network clusters. The structure of inter‐sectoral relations, understood as interactions (competition, conflict, coordination, cooperation, and control) and flows (information, financial, human, or tangible resources), between the institutional partners of these partnerships is examined. Analysing in detail attributes of network relations, the article identifies structural characteristics of the area‐based partnerships, such as manifestations of how diverse local resources are engaged and how dominance by traditional powerful stakeholders can be overcome by network structures. Structural dynamics and transformations that represent expressions and manifestations of how territorially embedded governance networks are expected to operate are important areas of inquiry in political geography. In this context, the particular empirical and theoretical capacity of SNA is illuminated in this article as part of a broader presentation of primary field data on how network governance and rural development is taking shape in Central and Eastern Europe.

Farming ‘through the ages’: joint farming ventures in Ireland

We discuss the rationale for a balanced age structure and greater participation of younger farmers in Irish agriculture. However, we are circumspect with regard to prevailing policy discourses that are biased for and against farmers depending on their age and ownership status. We discuss how joint farming ventures (JFVs), involving diverse combinations of farmers, have the capacity to manoeuvre around the “land mobility” problem by instead paying recognition to human capital on farms. Taking a focus on the micro-politics of the farming household, we identify JFVs as capable of providing recognition to younger and older farmers, whether or not they own land. We argue that JFVs not only provide career pathways for younger farmers but also preserve the crucial inter-generational dynamic of family farming. Highlighting the psychodynamic processes at play in processes of farm succession, we advocate extension strategies to facilitate JFVs in achieving meaningful human capital benefits at farm-level.

The Potential for Joint Farming Ventures in Irish Agriculture: A Sociological Review

Abstract Joint farming ventures (JFVs) are promoted within Irish and EU policy discourses as strategies that can enhance the economic and social sustainability of family farming. Research has shown that JFVs, including arrangements such as farm partnerships, contract rearing and share farming, can potentially enable farmers to work cooperatively to improve farm productivity, reduce working hours, facilitate succession, develop skills and improve relationships within the farm household. In the context of increasing policy promotion of JFVs, there is a need to make some attempt at understanding the macro socio-cultural disposition of family farming to cooperation. Reviewing sociological studies of agricultural cooperation and taking a specific focus on the Irish contextual backdrop, this paper draws the reader’s attention to the importance of historical legacy, pragmatic economic and social concerns, communicative norms, inter-personal relationships, individualism and, policy and extension stimuli, all of which shape farmers’ dispositions to cooperation and to JFVs specifically.