从发现到超越:西方乡村发展思想的理论脉络与研究展望

From discovery to transcendence:Theoretical evolution and research prospects of Western rural development thought

乡村如何发展一直是全球可持续发展的核心问题,更是地理学研究的重要议题之一。本研究通过对西方乡村发展文献的系统综述,旨在总结其思想的理论演进脉络并展望研究议题。总体来看,西方乡村发展思想经历了从简单向复杂、从单一到多元的阶梯式演化历程,在百年学术积淀与实践探索中,遵循着“发现乡村—重塑乡村—超越乡村”的演化轨迹,形成了跨学科、多理论、宽视野的理论格局。在“发现乡村”时期,城市研究的兴起引发了对乡村现象与问题的关注,并催生出早期乡村发展思想;在“重塑乡村”阶段,伴随着乡村社会转型与学术研究复苏,乡村发展思想的核心内涵与特征得到重新定义;在“超越乡村”时期,西方出现大量“不是乡村的乡村”实例,乡村发展思想在对象、目标和手段层面有了显著突破。当前,中国乡村发展处于独特的时代背景下,未来应加强对中国式乡村地理和城乡治理问题的关注,致力于本土概念与理论的建构;突破西方城市中心主义的桎梏,总结中国乡村发展的典型案例,走“以农为本”的差异化发展道路。

Rural development has long been a pivotal concern in the pursuit of global sustainable development,and it remains a fundamental topic within the field of geography.This study provides a systematic review of the Western literature on rural development,with the objective of summarizing the theoretical evolution of rural development ideas and forecasting potential future research directions.The development of Western rural thought has undergone a significant evolution,transitioning from simplicity to complexity and from a singular to a diversified perspective.Over the past century,this body of thought has been shaped by extensive academic research and practical exploration,following a discernible trajectory of"discovering the rural-reshaping the rural-transcending the rural".This trajectory has led to the establishment of a multidisciplinary,multi-theoretical,and broad-based theoretical framework that continues to influence contemporary discussions on rural development.In the"discovering the rural"phase,the emergence of urban studies brought rural issues into focus,which subsequently led to the formulation of early rural development theories.This period was marked by an increasing awareness of rural phenomena and challenges that had previously been overlooked.Moving into the"reshaping the rural"phase,the transformation of rural societies,coupled with a resurgence of academic interest,led to a redefinition of the core tenets and characteristics of rural development thought.This phase emphasized the dynamic and transformative potential of rural areas in response to broader socio-economic changes.Finally,in the"transcending the rural"phase,Western scholars began to explore the concept of"nonrural rural areas,"highlighting the blurring boundaries between rural and urban spaces and signaling significant breakthroughs in the objects,goals,and methods of rural development.Given the unique socio-historical context of contemporary China,it is imperative that future research prioritizes the study of China's rural geography and urban-rural governance.This research should aim to construct indigenous concepts and theoretical frameworks that reflect China's unique rural characteristics.Additionally,there is a need to challenge the dominant Western urban-centric paradigms by documenting and analyzing typical cases of rural development in China.By doing so,China can carve out a differentiated path of development that is deeply rooted in its agricultural heritage and aligned with its national priorities.