Power and Place: Preservation, Progress, and the Culture War over Land

Rural life and culture are essential for American society, providing a practical and symbolic foundation for our values and identities. Power and Place: Preservation, Progress, and the Culture War over Land explores the ongoing culture wars that pit conservation against economic progress, shedding light on the physical and emotional parameters of cultural attachment to land.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky

Rural life and culture play a vital role in American society, serving as a practical and symbolic foundation for our cherished values and our very existence as a species. The stewardship of cultural diversity and the places that nurture it, such as rural America, is essential for our survival. These places teach us how to use land to make a living, forge and carry on our identities, and feel history. They also provide a wealth of policies for managing the delicate environmental balancing act that will preserve essential resources for future generations.

Power and Place: Preservation, Progress, and the Culture War over Land delves into the ongoing culture wars that pit conservation against economic progress. Author Melinda Bollar Wagner began her research as a study of Appalachia's long-standing status as an energy sacrifice zone, but it evolved into a twenty-four-year project that sheds new light on the physical and emotional parameters of cultural attachment to land. Through interviews with over 220 residents from ten communities in five Appalachian counties, Power and Place gives voice to rural citizens whose place at the table is far from assured when it comes to critical energy, environmental, and infrastructure decisions.

Rural life and culture are deeply intertwined, and they play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world. They provide a sense of place and identity, and they help us to connect with our past and our future. However, rural areas are often overlooked and marginalized, and they face numerous challenges, including economic inequality, environmental degradation, and a lack of access to basic services.

One of the primary challenges facing rural America is the loss of cultural diversity. As more and more people move to urban areas, rural communities are losing their unique traditions, languages, and ways of life. This loss can have a devastating impact on the local economy, as it can lead to a decline in tourism and other economic activities. It can also lead to a loss of cultural identity, as people are no longer able to connect with their roots and their heritage.

To address this challenge, there are several strategies that can be employed. One of the most effective is to promote cultural diversity through education. Schools can teach students about the different cultures that exist in the world, and they can also provide opportunities for students to learn about their own culture. This can help to create a sense of pride and belonging in rural communities, and it can also help to promote economic development by attracting tourists and other visitors.

Another strategy is to support local businesses. Rural businesses are often small and family-owned, and they can be vulnerable to economic downturns. By supporting local businesses, we can help to keep money in the local economy and to create jobs. This can also help to preserve the unique character of rural communities, as local businesses often reflect the local culture and traditions.

In addition to promoting cultural diversity and supporting local businesses, there are also several strategies that can be employed to address environmental degradation. One of the most effective is to promote sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture practices can help to reduce the amount of pollution and greenhouse gases that are released into the environment, and they can also help to preserve the natural resources that are essential for rural communities.

Another strategy is to promote renewable energy. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower can help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and they can also help to create jobs in rural communities. However, the development of renewable energy can also have negative impacts on the environment, and it is important to ensure that it is done in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Finally, it is important to address the lack of access to basic services in rural areas. This can include access to healthcare, education, and transportation. By providing access to these services, we can help to improve the quality of life for rural residents and to promote economic development.

In conclusion, rural life and culture hold a practical and symbolic importance in American society. They provide a sense of place and identity, and they help us to connect with our past and our future. However, rural areas are often overlooked and marginalized, and they face numerous challenges, including economic inequality, environmental degradation, and a lack of access to basic services. By promoting cultural diversity through education, supporting local businesses, addressing environmental degradation, and providing access to basic services, we can help to create a more sustainable and prosperous future for rural America.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813197739