Le mouvement récent des idées concernant la sphère agricole et rurale

What picture can one give of the evolution over the past 15 to 20 years of our image of the rural world ? What aspects of this complex whole have been picked out for study ? What has been considered characteristic, explanatory, significant ? What has been said about it ? What perspectives and what forecasts have been presented as probable or necessary ? Research-workers, elected representatives, civil servants, professional bodies, journalists, the press and public opinion will be examined from all these points of view. Interaction between these different groups is more frequent and deeper than one would think and often cuts across political cleavages. Is there a global attitude towards this question in France ? How can it be explained ? Is it a matter of fashion ?