The new paradigm of rural development. Theoretical considerations and reconceptualization using the 'rural web'

The New Paradigm of Rural Development. Theoretical Considerations and Reconceptua-lization Using the 'Rural Web'. In this paper, we provide a synthesized review of the mostrelevant literature about the new paradigm of rural development. On this basis, it is argued that the different theoretical bodies that comprise this literature are still too disconnected. In this regard, we highlight the need for new conceptualizations such as the 'rural web' model (van der Ploeg and Marsden, 2008), an integrated theoretical framework which conceives rural development as the ongoing revitalization of the complex network of people, resources, activities and processes that interact in an area and shape its social, economic, cultural and environmental attractiveness.