Local economies, local governance and community : defining community in Nova Scotia

Abstract

Rural communities in Nova Scotia are in crisis. Globalization, centralization, amalgamations and urbanization have all weakened local communities. Corporate capitalism's influence largely dominates the economic and political aspects of local community. This study discusses whether local control of resources, governed by more participatory democracy, with collective community action built on human relationships of trust, can help reshape more self-reliant communities. Observations over a ten year period of a rural community in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia are all considered in the discussion of local economies, local governance and community.