loss and destruction of social capital and social networks in spanish rural areas

“Loss and destruction of social capital and social networks in Spanish rural areas as consequences of the NOT

LEADER philosophy”

José Javier Serrano Lara ([email protected])

Introduction Methods Results-

discus. Concluding

Contents1. Introduction and theoretical basis

– Hypothesis– Objectives– Concepts: Rural development, social capital and social networks

2. Methodology and sources– Methods and data gathering

3. Socioeconomic Diagnosis⎻ Location, demographic and economic approach

4. Results and discussion– Social networks: properties and cohesion– Evolution of social networks and social capital– Deterioration of social network and social capital

5. Conclusions


discus. Concluding

1. Introduction and theoretical basis Hypothesis:

Programme of LEADER rural development (EU): contributes to the creation and strengthening of social networks in the territory.

However, regional government (Valencia) changes the approach and management of the programme (Ruralter-Leader, 2007-2013). Results could be: slowed down dynamics of social networks and destruction of social fabric in the Rincón de Ademuz?

Objectives: To analyse stock of social capital based on the social

networks of relevant actors To study the relationship of the network with the processes

of territorial development.

Diagnosis

Theoretical basis:Concept of

Rural development

European policy of rural

development

Community Initiative LEADER

EconomicSocial

Social Capital

Rules Social Network Trust


discus. ConcludingDiagnosis

Concepts: Rural development– “Rural development: encompasses agriculture,

education, infrastructure, health, capacity-building for other than on-farm employment, rural institutions and the needs of vulnerable groups.

Rural development aims at improving rural people´s livelihoods in an equitable and sustainable manner, both socially and environmentally, through better access to assets (natural, physical, human, technological and social capital), and services, and control over productive capital (in its financial or economic and political forms), that enable them to improve their livelihoods on a sustainable and equitable basis”.

(Atchoarena and Gasperini, 2003: 21)



Seven keys of LEADER approach:



Communitary Initiative (1991-2006)

Rural Development Programme (2007)

The Bottom-up principle is one of the most relevant aspect of LEADER, aiming at social capital building and enhancing (social) innovation in rural areas

Dax and Oedl-wieser (2016: 30)

Concepts: Social Capital– “SC is the aggregate of the actual or potential

resources which are linked to possession of a durable network of more or less institutionalized relationship of mutual acquaintance and recognition – or in other words, to member in a group”.

– The volume of the social capital possessed by a given agent thus depends on the size of the network of connections he can effectively mobilize and on the volume of the capital (economic, cultural or symbolic) possessed in his own right by each of those to whom he is connected.

(Bourdieu, 1986: 51)Introductio

n Methods Results-discus. ConcludingDiagnosis

Subject

Structure

Contents



Concepts: Social Network– “A group of people that, they are

grouped or individuals, are related with others for a specific purpose, these relationships are characterised by the existence of information flows…” .

(Velázquez y Aguilar, 2005: 3)

– Formal and informal network: - Formal: supported by public agencies. - Informal: supported without public

agencies.



Evolution stock of social capital:



What happened first?

¿ ?

¿ ?



Introduction Methods

2. Methodology and sources

Quantitative methodology (statistics) and qualitative (interviews) in a LEADER area

Thirty interviews with “relevant” people of the region.

“Relevant” Actors: People who have or had an active contribution or protagonist in the rural development or socioeconomics of the region (managers, economic, social and institutional actors).

Results-discus. ConcludingDiagnosis

3. Socioeconomic diagnosisStudy area:

Introduction

Results-discus. ConcludingDiagnosisMethods

Socioeconomic context:– Is a poor, depressed, uninhabited, aged and

isolated region- Before the crisis, the immigration increased

the population of the area

Introduction


20062007200820092010201120122013

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

% Agriculture % Industry% Construction % Services

Socioeconomic context:– In the region there was predominantly the

agriculture of subsistence, a lack of industry and especially the sector services-tourism

- Before the crisis there was a predominance of construction

Introduction


4. The results and discussion

Basics indicators of the social network:

RINCÓN DE ADEMUZ

Network properties Density 23,70%

Cohesion indicators Distance 1,95

Centrality measures

Degree (In) 64,69%

Degree (Out) 21,88%Closenness

(In) 22,36

Closenness (Out) 14,23

Betweenness 9,50%

Flow Betweenness 7,17%

Reciprocated relationship 28,72

Very cohesive and centralised network

Short distances

Concentration of prestigious people in

the networkLow number of

intermediary peopleIntroductio

n ConcludingMethods Diagnosis Results-discus.

4. The results and discussion

Changes in the frequency of advice linked to LEADER

Antes Leader II

Leader II

Leader +

Ruralter-Leader

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

High Medium Low Very low

Before leader II

Introduction ConcludingMethods Diagnosis Results-

discus.

What happened first?

¿ ?

¿ ?


discus.

1st Period: “High intensity”


discus.

2nd Period: “high intensity”


discus.

Quantifying Changes of SNA

Relationship Null Low Medium High

First period 13 % 22 % 19 % 46 %

Second period 52 % 30 % 10 % 8 %

1st Period 2nd Period

Centrality measures

Degree (In) 52,68% 24,49%

Degree (Out) 56,24% 28,06%

Closenness (In) 37,26 6,6

Closenness (Out) 37,1 7,48

Betweenness 18,84% 20,09%

Reciprocated relationship 45% 21%


discus.

LEADER II LEADER +

Two big periods of analysis in the region:

1st PERIOD(1994-2006)

2nd PERIOD(2007-2013)

RURALTER- LEADER


discus.

Changes in the institutional setting of Valencia:

Economic aid

LEADER + Axis 4: LEADER

Public 38,77 % 95,41 %Private 61,23 % 4, 59 %

1st Period

Defined and compact area

Participation of local populationEquitable distribution of the

fundsThe LAGs have capacity of

managementThe LAGs were managed by

managers

2nd Period Defined area artifical and without

coherenceAbsent knowledge and participation

of the local population

Unequal distribution of the funds

The LAGs don´t have any capacity of management

The managers disappear and the Administratios controls everything

NOT LEADER PHILOSOFY


discus.

RURALTER-LEADER (2007-2013)


discus.

LEADER (2014-2020)


discus.

Concluding

5. Conclusion The importance of rural development programmes to

create social capital and more cohesive social networks

Current management of territorial development programmes by the regional government is causing serious consequences:

– Loss of social capital in the region, with other neighbours and with the regional government (external decision makers)

– Loss of social capital and social networks in the region is clearly devastating where previously high numbers of relationships dominated, now numbers are very low

Introduction Methods Diagnosis Results-

discus.

THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION

loss and destruction of social capital and social networks in spanish rural areas

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