From an interdisciplinary perspective based primarily on European ethnology and political economy, this book explores issues and concepts concerning the link between culture and economy. A historical introduction to key theoretical problems is followed by five empirical chapters discussing aspects of development in rural as well as urban locations. The author considers local leadership, looking in particular at part-time farming, counter-urban migration, and pluriactivity. The classification of informal economy is illustrated with examples drawn from fieldwork, and urban poverty and migration are each explored in detail. A discussion of heritage and identity as a resource for development questions whether the concern with the authenticity of culture(s) may be an inappropriate approach to take. The book concludes with a theoretical reflection on the problematic of culture and economy and a call for a return to the roots of European ethnology as an essentially political science.

Analyses the economic development of cities from the 'cultural economy' and 'creative industry' perspectives.

The book explores the relationship between cultural heritage and local economic development by introducing the original idea that one possible mediator between the two can be identified as creativity. The book econometrically verifies this idea and demonstrates that cultural heritage, through its inspirational role on different creative talents, generates an indirect positive effect on local economic development. These results justify important new policy recommendations in the field of cultural heritage.

Culture, Spirituality and Economic Development: Opening a dialogue

This title was first published in 2002. For many regions, 'culture' is considered the only viable resource they have for economic development. Neo-liberalist economics has become the dominant paradigm across a wide range of cultural contexts, while the cultural contingency of this paradigm itself has been obscured. In offering an empirically grounded anthropological critique of these issues, the volume makes an original contribution to the international debate on culture and economy. The case studies shed light on everyday practices used to establish culture’s economic 'value', and concepts of 'culture' and 'economy' employed by policy decision-makers are scrutinized through studies of strategies and policies at various levels. Aspects of economy, such as the market, are examined as cultural constructs in a historical context. Illustrated by international case studies, the volume provides a compelling and insightful survey of the theories and practices that shape the polyvalent relationships between culture and economy in the twenty-first century.