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2025. Vol.10. №4.

The relationship of economic and spiritual-axiological aspects in the life of the Russian village (an exploratory project in a regional ‘case’)

Jan 14 2026

Baturina O. S. The relationship of economic and spiritual-axiological aspects in the life of the Russian village (an exploratory project in a regional ‘case’) // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2025. V.10. №4. P. 246-259.

EDN: VSYEDO

Annotation

The article presents the results of an exploratory sociological study aimed at identifying the relationship between economic determinants and axiological-spiritual orientations of the rural population (on the example of a specific regional case). In the f irst part of the article, the author explains the categorical apparatus, conceptual foundations and sampling criteria for the empirical study, in the second part briefly summarizes its findings, showing that the financial well-being of the local community has a direct impact on social activity and communicative richness of rural life, level of societal trust, and motivation to participate in public initiatives. Tense confrontation between economic rationality (pragmatic considerations) and moral-ethical guidelines for collective life proves to be a determining factor in the preservation or destruction/loss of local value systems and cultural-historical heritage, and, consequently, in the perception of traditional foundations (on the scale from ‘sacred’ to ‘utilitarian’) and in value conflicts. On the one hand, the study confirms well-known principles of local community sustainability, such as favorable economic conditions as a factor in retaining young workers and effectively reproducing social and human capital in rural areas. On the other hand, the author identifies significant contradictions between (a) the values   of environmental responsibility and traditional collectivism declared by rural representatives and (b) the actual economic situation characterized by a lack of material, financial and resource opportunities to realize the declared life priorities. This leads to the degradation of social capital, erosion of local identity, strengthening paternalistic orientation, and decreasing confidence in the ability to influence the situation, which weakens the potential of rural self-government institutions. Thus, rural respondents consider the improvement of economic living conditions not only as a necessary means of achieving material well-being but also as a crucial tool for restoring social and cultural potential of the local community.

Keywords

Russian village, economic development, social well-being, traditional way of life, spiritual-moral values, case study, social/cultural/human capital.  

About the author

Oksana S. Baturina, PhD (Psychology), Head of the Scientific Department, Birsk Branch of the Ufa University of Science and Technology; Head of the small innovative enterprise “Academy of Personal and Corporate Development”. Internatsionalnaya St., 10, Birsk, Republic of Bashkortostan, 452451, Russia.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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2024. Vol.9. №4.

Progressive modernisation. The role of peasants in the industrialisation of North-Eastern Italy

Feb 10 2025

Celetti D. Progressive modernisation. The role of peasants in the industrialisation of North-Eastern Italy // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2024. V.9. №4. P. 68-97.

DOI: 10.22394/2500-1809-2024-9-4-68-97

Annotation

The process of industrialization of North-Eastern Italy and, in particular the Veneto Region, spread widely outside urban centers, in agrarian territories historically characterised by a specific type of land use based on the harmonious coexistence of different cultures within individual smallholdings. This article focuses on the key shifts that allowed the wide spread of productive activities in rural areas and the active participation of the rural population in industrial production in the absence of significant migration flows in the direction of large industrial centers. The article is organized as follows: the first section analyses the scientific interpretation of the special path of regional modernization. Section 2 presents the main features of the traditional rural economy of North-Eastern Italy. Section 3 examines the changes in the sectoral structure of the regional economy during the period of industrialization. Conclusions summarize results and ongoing transformation of the Veneto regional economy, society and landscape.

Keywords

Economic development, north-eastern Italy, peasant family, traditional agriculture, industrialization, urbanization processes, industrial clusters.

About the author

David Celetti, PhD of Economics, Professor of Economic History, Department of Historical, Geographical Sciences and of the Ancient World, University of Padua, 30131 Padova, Via Vescovado 30.
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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