Intergovernmental discontent in rural areas: A perspective from local councils in Spain during the Great Recession

Left-behind places have gained attention during the last years and among those, particular attention has been paid to rural areas, where discontent finds anchor in an articulated narrative of distinctiveness that separates rural and urban, and on which populist parties would have tapped. Thus, rural discontent can be considered a specific expression of disaffection of left-behind places, shaped and characterised by the processes and narratives that are particular to rural areas. Understanding the social justice structure of the discontent is essential to identify the critical elements contributing to a revival of rural-urban cleavages and rethink the development paths in rural areas that feel left behind. To advance on the qualitative understanding of the configuration of the left-behind places, this contribution explores discontent among rural mayors in a Spanish region -Valencia- during the Great Recession. Building on qualitative evidence and using a social justice approach, the presentation will explore the institutional factors driving rural discontent. The results describe the emergence of rural discontent rooted in perceptions of intergovernmental inequality upon redistribution, recognition and representation issues that are shaped by demographic, political and environmental features of rurality. • Discontent extended through the rural councils regardless geographical demarcations. • Discontent is structured upon population size, territorial features, and the mayor's political party. • Discontent reflects redistribution, recognition and representation problems. • Redistribution issues may be exculpated by economic crisis, the functioning of the institutional system and rural stoicism. • There were no exculpating arguments for recognition and representation issues.