Ana Barbic

Cultural identity of the Slovenian countryside: territorial integrity and cultural diversity from the perspective of rural communities.

Cultural identity of rural areas is discussed with some basic concepts such as culture, territory, contemporary globalization, and individuation processes. This case study of cultural identity in the Slovenian countryside focuses on its spiritual culture, of which several components are presented in detail: the language of rural areas, (handy)crafts, nutrition and food culture, co-operation and mutual help among rural residents at work and in leisure, and the art products of Slovenian farmers. In discussing the present status and the future of rural cultural identity, the danger of idolizing (romanticizing) traditions for the sake of selling them to tourists is pointed out and the necessity of traditions being part of everyday life of rural residents stressed. As a part of work and leisure life of rural residents, traditions are constantly changing due to local as well as to international socio-economic processes, to inner and outer stimuli to keep existing traditions and to create new ones.

Farm women in Slovenia: Endeavors for equality

In a short overview of farm womens issues in Western and former socialist countries the author identifies more similarities than differences between these regions. The abandonment of socialist systems gives farm women of all European countries a chance to fight jointly for their rights. The description of farm women in Slovenia based on extensive empirical evidence serves as a data base for the suggestions about how their situation within the family, the farm, and in public life can be improved, and how gender equality as the final goal of rural women can be achieved.

Rural development in the time of deconstructing the one-party political systems and centrally planned economies

The political developments in post-socialist countries are taken as a general frame for discussing rural development in the transition from centrally planned to market economies. Rural communities and agriculture in post-socialist countries are facing major problems related to decollectivization of property, the stimulation of effective private agricultural units, and the building up of integrated rural communities and their local autonomy. After presenting the developments in Slovenia in detail, the author comes to the conclusion that no foreign/western development model can be literally applied to any post-socialist state. These nations must define their own goals and formulate the strategies to reach them based on the analysis of their specific situations, and in doing this they must engage their own scientists/professionals and take foreign experts only as occasional advisors.