Globalization and Its Effects on Agriculture and Agribusiness in the Mississippi Delta: A Historical Overview and Prospects for the Future

This article examines processes of globalization and local development particularly how agribusiness, in alliance with the federal government, has shaped recent economic, demographic, and social changes in the Mississippi Delta region. The author examines how globalization shapes conditions in the flatland Mississippi Delta and argues that globalization creates conditions at the local level that suppress economic opportunities for many residents. The final section identifies the implications for public policy formulation and development practice on both the global and local levels.The author offers recommendations on how the region can “take the high road” to ease persistent poverty

Cross Border Community Research, Opportunities and Challenges: Case Study Analyses

In the context of a global knowledge economy, this paper underscores the need for cross border social and community research and suggests several critical procedures necessary for successful implementation of such research projects. Using data derived from diverse sources it describes the importance of cross border knowledge sharing, and critical procedures that enlarge the perimeter of traditional teaching and learning experiences. It further describes the advantages of implementing a combination of in-class instruction and field-based activities in international settings. A discussion of the constraints and benefits of conducting social and community-based fieldwork in politically stable developing countries follows

Social Justice as a Dimension of University Social Responsibility

This chapter examines social justice as an element of university social responsibility (USR). In the face of persistent structural inequality, I discuss strategies for promoting social justice as intentional university platforms. I then explore institutional philosophies on empowering agents of change for a socially just society. This includes the university supporting inclusive and equitable action for people who have been historically underserved by higher education. I posit “start at home” as a new perspective on social responsibility related to campus climate and environment for faculty, students, and staff from diverse backgrounds. Finally, I propose a university social responsibility (USR) typology for universities with a social justice dimension their mission. The method includes a literature review and a thematic analysis of diverse universities’ social justice stances and statements. Accordingly, the paper addresses three research questions. (a) How can social justice be explicitly included in Universities’ third mission policies and activities (processes and outcomes)? (b) How can universities, as change agents, help produce socially responsible students and citizens? (c) Is there a typology for social justice as social responsibility for universities to self-diagnose their position relating to the intersection of social justice, community engagement, and the shaping of fair and just future practitioners

Building Social Capital and Community Capacity with Signature Projects: A Case Study of Two Diverse Delta Communities

This article describes action strategies that were planned and implemented by diverse groups of citizens in community development signature projects. Ten values and operating principles to guide successful signature projects are presented. Criteria are presented that Cooperative Extension, regional universities, and community partners can use to plan, fund, implement, and evaluate signature projects that build social capital and community capacity. Signature projects and social capital are defined. The article describes how signature projects worked in small, diverse, rural communities in the Mississippi Delta. The role of signature projects in building social, human capital, and enhancing community capacity is explained

Spatio-temporal trends in root crop production and marketing in Jamaica

Root crop production in Jamaica and indeed the rest of the Caribbean is the domain of the small-scale farming sector. Not only is this sector a major source of employment, but in recent year its potential as a foreign exchange earner has been increasingly realised. This paper analyses the spatial and temporal trends in root crop production and marketing in Jamaica over the past 10-15 years in response to initiatives to improve national food self-sufficiency, and to generate foreign exchange through export. A study of 163 farmers in two roral communities shows contrasting trends in overall production as well as production orientation. These contrasts are indications not only of environmental variations which influence decision-making at the micro-scale, but also variations in infrastructural provision

Globalization of agriculture: effects on social and natural systems in rural communities of Jamaica

This paper examines agriculture-based, export-oriented economies in Jamaica and focuses on their interactions within the global economic system. Beginning with an overview of how the evolution of these economies was precipitated by global economic forces, the subsequent formation of social and cultural systems which shaped collective conceptions of identity is explored. This analysis is placed in the context of Wallerstein's world systems and of globalization theory as the principal theoretical frameworks. In examining the rural economies of Jamaica, the focus is on the role of cheap labour and how specific export crops define each economy and land distribution system with particular attention to the large and small farm sectors. The paper also assesses the use of natural resources and livelihood impacts on local ecology. The final section identifies the implications for public policy formulation and development practice for rural communities

Democracy Satisfaction: The Role of Social Capital and Civic Engagement in Local Communities

Contemporary United States has witnessed a gradual shift of political responsibilities to local communities. This shift creates opportunities for a greater sense of democracy among individuals in local communities. This dissertation explores how elements of social capital and civic engagement support participatory democratic processes, and ultimately improve the quality of democracy for individuals. The central premise of this research is that democracy satisfaction includes the ability to influence decisions for individual and community benefits. Thus individuals who possess social capital and actively participate in civic life are likely to experience democracy satisfaction. Trust is specified as a primary social capital measure. Thus, the extent to which ?generalized trust? and ?particularized trust? account for differences in the levels of individual satisfaction with democracy is examined. A parsimonious typology is developed in which four categories of trusters (total trusters, general trusters, particular trusters, and skeptics) are delineated and empirically tested. Three categories of civic engagement; local political, representative and altruistic civic engagement are also differentiated and tested for their explanatory value for democracy satisfaction. To achieve this, data from the 2000 American National Election Study were used in logistics regression models. The study confirms the notion that while trust is important when it comes to democracy satisfaction, it is generalized trust (total and general trusters), rather than particularized trust (particular trusters, and skeptics) that is more important in predicting democracy satisfaction. The results also show that not all forms of civic engagement predict democracy satisfaction. While representative civic engagement and giving to charity have positive effects on democracy satisfaction, local political civic engagement and volunteering time do not significantly predict satisfaction with democracy. With reference to altruistic civic engagement, results show that giving to charity has a positive effect on democracy satisfaction, but not volunteering time. It is concluded that participatory democracy is impeded in communities with strong particularized trust and limited generalized trust. The study points to futures research opportunities to ascertain the extent to which types of trust and civic engagement are pertinent factors in explaining development efforts in local communities that are deficient in civic culture and participatory democracy

Cross Border Community Research, Opportunities and Challenges: Case Study Analyses

In the context of a global knowledge economy, this paper underscores the need for cross border social and community research and suggests several critical procedures necessary for successful implementation of such research projects. Using data derived from diverse sources it describes the importance of cross border knowledge sharing, and critical procedures that enlarge the perimeter of traditional teaching and learning experiences. It further describes the advantages of implementing a combination of in-class instruction and field-based activities in international settings. A discussion of the constraints and benefits of conducting social and community-based fieldwork in politically stable developing countries follows

Cross Border Community Research, Opportunities and Challenges: Case Study Analyses

In the context of a global knowledge economy, this paper underscores the need for cross border social and community research and suggests several critical procedures necessary for successful implementation of such research projects. Using data derived from diverse sources it describes the importance of cross border knowledge sharing, and critical procedures that enlarge the perimeter of traditional teaching and learning experiences. It further describes the advantages of implementing a combination of in-class instruction and field-based activities in international settings. A discussion of the constraints and benefits of conducting social and community-based fieldwork in politically stable developing countries follows

Cross Border Community Research, Opportunities and Challenges: Case Study Analyses

In the context of a global knowledge economy, this paper underscores the need for cross border social and community research and suggests several critical procedures necessary for successful implementation of such research projects. Using data derived from diverse sources it describes the importance of cross border knowledge sharing, and critical procedures that enlarge the perimeter of traditional teaching and learning experiences. It further describes the advantages of implementing a combination of in-class instruction and field-based activities in international settings. A discussion of the constraints and benefits of conducting social and community-based fieldwork in politically stable developing countries follows