Abstract
Globalization processes have accelerated the rapidity of both economic growth and global connectivity, but in so doing have often catalyzed both global integration and diverse forms of marginalization economically, politically, socially and spatially. This chapter and this book more generally explore, at both the theoretical and the applied levels, responses to marginalization in selected regions of the more developed part of the world (Europe, Canada, Australia). Such responses can either be the result of deliberately planned interventions or they can happen spontaneously, often as a result of pro-active local responses. This chapter explores the relevance of theories such as new regionalism, new localism and place based development before proceeding to provide an overview of the structure of this book, including the foci of its three sections and the chapters within each.