Changing rural economies: theoretical background and empirical evidence

Rural areas have been traditionally perceived as space dominated by agriculture. However, especially
since the World War II a sinking importance of agriculture for the economy, employment and even identity
building could be observed. This has occurred both in developed capitalist and post-socialist countries. The purpose
of this article is to discuss the character of present rural economies of developed countries (and especially
Visegrad countries) with a particular attention to other than acricultural and tourism economic industries. Key
factors influencing the growth of jobs in non-farming and tourism sectors are analysed and on this basis the
conditions for entrepreneurship in rural areas in the era of the knowledge economy are re-evaluated.