A Comparison of Rural Development Research Paper 2022

Running head: A COMPARISON OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
A Comparison of Rural Development
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A COMPARISON OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT1
Executive Summary
This paper looks at the rural development plans, policies, strategies and frameworks of four
countries: France, Spain, Ireland and Kenya. It compares these rural development initiatives
with those experienced and implemented in South Africa from a historical perspective, with
the aim to analyse and take lessons from this act of comparison from which future policy
makers can rely upon and develop a comprehensive, holistic and inclusive rural development
strategy and practice.

A COMPARISON OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT2

A COMPARISON OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT3
Introduction
The dichotomy between town and country has existed from the moment civilizations
have come into being (Rousseau 1995). As human society and technology progressed, the
divide existing between urban and rural living widened until the process of industrialization
in the nineteenth century completely destroyed any link between the cities and villages. It
was only after the end of the Second World War that many countries took up the concern of
developing rural areas to give its citizens residing in the countryside equal political, social
and economic opportunities. Different countries have responded differently to the rural
question, implementing a plethora of policy decisions that succeeded or failed, depending on
a number factors and circumstances. It is therefore interesting to note how varied can rural
development policies be and how essential they are for the overall development of the
country. In order to chalk out the best path for rural development, it is imperative that a
comparison is carried out between the various policies that have been implemented over the
years so that policy framers are in a better position to construct the optimal development
strategy for rural areas. This paper seeks to compare the rural development policies as have
been adopted and implemented by the nations of France, Spain, Ireland and Kenya since
1950. By listing out the various strategies and comparing them with the policies used by other
countries, this paper strives to analyse the implications drawn from this comparative
examination and provide a foundation upon which policy makers in the future could rely
upon.
Discussion
Rural Development in France
France was ravaged first by war and then by the brutal occupation of the Nazi regime
during the Second World War (Landes 1950). As a result, France’s rural landscape was