Rural space and the concept of modernisation. Case of Poland

Abstract

The concept of development is included in the concept of social modernisation. In spatial analyses, including studies of rural space, it is most often used in the context of researching developmental stages. The purpose of this article is to present the most important concepts in assessing development and planning of rural areas in the context of social modernisation. Overview of different approaches showed that most of them used the premises of functional methodology. Functionalism in spatial studies (mainly economic geography and spatial management) was the most important trend in the identification and interpretation of social and economic phenomena. Reducing socio-economic reality mainly to the realm of spatial development and the adoption of methods of functional research has always accentuated the structural characteristics that emphasised the systemic coherence (harmony and spatial order). On the other hand, the concepts of modernisation in rural areas do not stress internal contradictions that cause social conflicts and tensions.