Municipal Power, Economic Power and Heritage. The Case of Saint-Allouestre (Morbihan)

Saint-Allouestre is located in an almost completely Ru region of Brittany. Since 1955 the region has been transformed from the area of small-scale farming to one of concentrated agricultural production (raising chickens & pork). The most recent (1968) census showed 609 inhabitants. Until 1971 th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Études rurales 1976-01, Vol.63 -- 64, p.247-252
Main Author: Chambron, Nicole
Format: Article
Language:fre
Subjects:
Brittany, France
Community power structure
Economy/Economies
Power
Rural (see also Ru/Ur)
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Saint-Allouestre is located in an almost completely Ru region of Brittany. Since 1955 the region has been transformed from the area of small-scale farming to one of concentrated agricultural production (raising chickens & pork). The most recent (1968) census showed 609 inhabitants. Until 1971 the municipal government was almost exclusively controlled by agriculturalists who showed strong adherence to community values & resisted attempts to sell communal land for development into summer homes. In 1971 a new council was elected which reflected profound changes in the town's economic structure. Though most council members were still agriculturalists, they were involved in large-scale, centrally regulated, production of pork & chickens. Two members had other professions. Agriculture, of the type now practiced in the area, is no longer self-contained, but involves central regulatory bodies. The family-based economic unit has lost validity, & lifestyles have become oriented toward the outside world. The new mayor & council embody modernism & dynamism, & represent a different social group than previous governments. Technological heritage has replaced the land-ownership heritage as a defining condition of the ruling class. B. Annesser.
ISSN:0014-2182