This title was first published in 2001. An interdisciplinary team of leading European scholars bring together case studies from Western and Eastern Europe to illustrate and critically analyze the shifting relationships of agricultural, environmental and food policy in Europe. In the most comprehensive book of its kind it examines the critical changes, both in agricultural, environmental and food politics and the way these domains have been investigated by European social scientists. The book evaluates specific changes, focussing in particular on agricultural restructuring (in the face of globalization, Europeanization and the collapse of the Soviet model of agricultural organization), agriculture-environmental relations and consumer preferences. Beginning by examining the degree to which Europe offers a unique and identifiable rural experience, the book includes a critical re-examination of the process of agricultural transformation. In the light of contemporary events and the over-seductive and essentially mythical notion of post-productivism.

’The book is relevant to rural policy-makers, practitioners and researchers from the economic, social or regional science perspective.’ Aslib Book Guide 'This book can be recommended particularly to readers who want to get a broad overview of the variety of issues related to agriculture and rurality in Europe.' Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture 'The chapters in this book make a good read. This reviewer will certainly be recommending this book to his students.' Journal of Environmental Planning and Management '...should find a place in the library of the rural researcher.' Progress in Human Geography

Henry Buller, Professor of Rural Studies, Cheltenham and Gloucester College, and Maître de Conférences in Geography at the University of Paris 7. Keith Hoggart, Professor of Geography, King’s College London.