De betekenis van traditie op het platteland

Samenvatting

A literature review shows that before WWII, Dutch rural cultural traditions were seen as impeding modernization & rationalization. The detraditionalization & delocalization of culture was expected to facilitate national unification, as well as the standardization of farming practices & expertise. Local culture & agency were not viewed as essential for comprehending the dynamics of the rural society & economy. However, there has recently been renewed interest in examining traditional culture. Four current area of interest include: (1) ideological dimensions of rural life, alternately described as a social-constructivist vision of how rural actors form an image of reality; (2) the exploitation of folklore for cultural & recreational goals, eg, heritage tourism; (3) the potential of traditional lifestyles to contribute to the theory of resource stewardship; & (4) how local traditions provide mechanisms for modernization processes. Tradition is being discovered as a resource that can be mobilized for starting discussions & practices tied to sustainable agriculture. Farmers' practical knowledge is being codified & brought to the political & ideological levels. Thus, local culture is acquiring a political dimension capable of influencing policy. 47 References. Adapted from the source document.