Factors of social and economic rural development

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Description of journey– reflections on my research approaches

1.1. Why research about the village Glod?

1.2. The procedure in the research field

1.3. About the difficulty to use the right research method in the right way

1.3.1. Ethnography and participant observation

1.3.2. Self-completion questionnaire

1.3.3. Study of wealth

1.3.4. Key informant interview

1.3.5. Focussed group interview

1.3.6. Communicative validation – the attempt to use participatory methods

1.3.7. Indirect observation

1.3.7.1. Physical proof: Jewish gravestones

1.3.7.2. Written material – content analysis: essays of school children

1.4. About the difficulty to be a research scientist all the time

1.5. About the difficulty to stay objective

1.6. Analysis of the material: About the difficulty to balance out the scientific exactness and the confidential attitude of the village people

2. Development- concepts and strategies

2.1. What is development?

2.2. Classical development theories and strategies- some views

2.3. New approaches in development cooperation

2.3.1. Democratisation and good-governance

2.3.2. EU development instruments- structural and cohesion funds

3. Social Security

3.1. Definition and concepts of social security

3.2. History of Social Security

4. Romania- a transition country

4.1. Brief history of Romania

4.2. Country brief- demography and economic insights

4.3. Human development in Romania

4.4. Formal Social Security in Romania

4.4.1. Formal Social Security before 1989

4.4.2. Formal Social Security after 1989

4.4.2.1. The national social assistance system- Law 47/2006

4.4.2.2. A guaranteed minimum income- Law 416/2001

4.4.2.3. Health insurances system- Law 145/1997

4.4.2.4. The public pension system and other social insurance rights- Law 19/2000

4.4.2.5. Rights of the child- Law 272/2004

4.4.2.6. The national education system- Law 84/1995

5. Case study- village Glod, Maramures

5.1. Brief history of Glod

5.2. Demography and infrastructure

5.3. A study of wealth in Glod

5.3.1. Family in Glod

5.3.2. Education

5.3.3. Buildings structure and properties

5.3.4. Transportation and livestock

5.3.5. Communication facilities

5.3.6. Occupational allocation and job migration

5.3.7. Religion and values

5.4. Strategies of social security in Glod

5.4.1. Rotating working of fields and sitting clubs

5.4.2. Organised seasonal labour migration

5.4.3. Loan providers

5.4.4. Help and assistance to life events

5.4.5. Help and assistance in case of disasters

5.4.6. Help to expensive medical interventions

5.4.7. Help to children’s education

5.4.8. Collectively cattle breeding

5.4.9. Help for old-age and orphans

5.4.10. Other helping schemes

6. Chances and limits for the rural areas in Romania

6.1. Corruption as a limit for development

6.2. Rural regional development projects as a chance

Research Objectives and Topics

The research aims to investigate the factors influencing social and economic development in the Romanian village of Glod. By exploring transition challenges, local social security strategies, and the role of cultural and religious values, the thesis seeks to understand why Glod demonstrates specific developmental patterns despite infrastructural limitations.

• Analysis of rural development concepts, theories, and sustainable strategies.
• Examination of the formal social security framework in post-communist Romania.
• Case study of Glod, focusing on wealth indicators, household dynamics, and infrastructure.
• Evaluation of informal social security schemes practiced within the village community.
• Investigation into the impact of corruption and migration on rural development.
• The influence of religion, particularly Protestant ethics, on social and economic behavior.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Description of journey– reflections on my research approaches: The author details the methodology used for the case study, including participant observation, surveys, and interviews, while reflecting on the challenges of maintaining objectivity.

2. Development- concepts and strategies: This chapter reviews various definitions of development, sustainability, and classical theories, contrasting modernisation and dependency approaches within a global context.

3. Social Security: Provides definitions and the historical evolution of social security systems, distinguishing between formal state institutions and informal community-based safety nets.

4. Romania- a transition country: Offers an overview of Romania’s history, demographic insights, and the national legal framework for social security and education following the fall of communism.

5. Case study- village Glod, Maramures: Presents a detailed empirical analysis of the village Glod, examining its history, demographics, wealth indicators, and the diverse informal social security strategies employed by villagers.

6. Chances and limits for the rural areas in Romania: Discusses the obstacles to development, primarily corruption, and the potential of regional development projects and participatory strategies to foster growth.

Keywords

Rural Development, Romania, Glod, Social Security, Transition, Modernisation, Participation, Corruption, Informal Economy, Household Assessment, Sustainable Development, Protestant Ethics, Migration, Infrastructure, Community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this thesis?

The thesis focuses on the factors of social and economic development in the Romanian village of Glod, examining how it has managed to develop despite significant infrastructural challenges.

What are the central themes of the work?

Key themes include rural development theories, the transition from a communist to a market economy, the role of informal social security networks, and the impact of religious and social values on local development.

What is the main research question?

The research investigates the drivers of development in Glod, questioning whether specific social strategies, religious factors, or internal organisation have enabled it to be relatively more developed than neighboring villages.

Which scientific methods were applied?

The author uses a triangulation of research methods: participant observation (micro-ethnography), self-completion questionnaires, household assessments, key informant interviews, and focused group discussions.

What does the main body of the work cover?

It covers the theoretical framework of development, the history of social security, Romania's transition status, and a comprehensive case study of Glod, including its demographic, economic, and social structures.

What keywords define this work?

Core keywords include Rural Development, Romania, Glod, Social Security, Transition, Participation, Corruption, and informal Social Security.

How does the Protestant faith influence the development of the village?

The author suggests that the Protestant community, influenced by the concept of "Protestant work ethics," acts as a leading group in the village, fostering industriousness, sobriety, and a proactive economic approach.

What role does corruption play in the development of the rural areas studied?

The author identifies corruption as a significant barrier to development, explaining how it leads to poor infrastructure quality and the misuse of public funds, affecting the trust of villagers in state institutions.