Whose Country Matters?

Christian and socialist social justice movements in Britain have, of late, tended to be urban movements that have focused on inner city deprivation. This article suggests that rural deprivation is also an important issue. Beginning with the countryside marches—who organized them and why—Susan Dowell explores in depth the various overlapping issues that make up contemporary ‘politics of the countryside’: farming, housing, hunting, tourism, transport and other forms and possibilities for economic development. She brings to this mix of issues a historical and theological perspective, and makes some suggestions as to where the churches might stand in the perceived conflict between urban and rural life.