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The mobilisation of rural identities and the failure of the rural protest movement in the UK, 1996-2001

Reed, Matt

Authors

Matt Reed



Abstract

This paper uses tools developed in political sociology to analyse social movements and political discourse to examine the rise of rural protest movements in the late 1990s. Drawing on documentary evidence and interviews with participants in localised protests, the paper argues that the movements failed to become established because they were unable to form a common sense of identity amongst those living in rural areas. The paper moves from examining the increased political sophistication of the pro-hunting movement through to the experience of localised pickets by farmers via the countryside marches and the fuel strike. It argues that, although the protests leaders were able to organise short term protests, they were unable to appropriate or provide explanatory scripts that made protest activity meaningful to many who took part. The paper concludes by considering the difficulties of attempting to organise a collective identity from contemporary understandings of rural life. © 2004 Taylor and Francis Ltd.

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Apr 1, 2004
Journal Space and Polity
Print ISSN 1356-2576
Electronic ISSN 1470-1235
Publisher Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Issue 1
Pages 25-42
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/13562570410001678851
Keywords rural identities, rural protest movement, UK, 1996-2001
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1061054
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13562570410001678851
Additional Information Additional Information : Economy and Society


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