What makes peripheral places matter? Applying the concept of political capital within a multiple capital framework

• Published in: Journal of rural studies 2023-10, Vol.103, p.103136, Article 103136
• Main Authors: Sørensen, Jens Fyhn Lykke, Svendsen, Gunnar Lind Haase
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Denmark; Left behind places; Multiple capital framework; Political capital; Rural development; Survey
• ISSN: 0743-0167; 1873-1392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2023.103136

Present research focusses on how urbanization has led to ‘territorial inequality’ that marginalizes ‘places that don't matter’, understood as places neglected by politicians. In this strand of literature, rural areas are consequently singled out as belonging to the unfortunate group of ‘left behind places’ and ‘places that don't matter’. However, to what extent can this be supported empirically? Based on a Danish national survey we conducted 2011/2012, and applying the concept of political capital within a multiple capital framework, we attempt to answer three questions: Do rural areas per se have little political power and influence? What makes some rural areas have more political capital than others? Does local political capital influence the local development in rural areas? We measure political capital by asking respondents in 476 rural parishes to assess how much influence local citizens exert on political decisions that concern their own, local area. The results show a significant variation in political capital across the sample. Further, regression analyses show that the local stocks of five forms of capital (physical, economic, human, social, symbolic) are positively related to the level of local political capital. Finally, regression analyses show that the initial level of political capital in 2012 has a positive and long-term effect on rural population growth throughout the period 2012–2023, while controlling for various exogenous factors. •We provide new perspectives relating to the debate on ‘left behind places’ and ‘places that don't matter’.•We apply the concept of political capital and perform a parish-level analysis including 476 Danish rural parishes.•We find significant variation in political capital across rural parishes.•We find physical, economic, human, social, and symbolic capital to be positively related to political capital.•We find that the level of local political capital has a positive and long-term effect on local population growth.