On the territorialization of rural development policies: lessons from past experiences and perspectives

Abstract

This article presents a major trend of rural development policies: their growing territorial character, coming together with an increasing involvement of local actors in conceiving and implementing development strategies. We discuss how the territorial approach can be really appropriate, especially for rural areas. Empirical results suggest that the quality of partnerships has a significant effect on the implementation of local development potentials. However, to be efficient, the territorialisation of development policies has to be implemented at a sufficiently long time scale. Finally, there is a real risk of increasing inequalities between and inside territories. The State has therefore still a role to play, even if this role has to be redefined.