Sociological Perspectives on Energy and Rural Development: A Review of Major Frameworks for Research on Developing Countries.

The contemporary energy situation raises new problems for rural development which require fresh thinking and perhaps some reorientation by sociologists. Five major frameworks for the sociological analysis of energy - rural development interactions in developing countries are critically evaluated. The frameworks are appraised in terms of their conceptualization of energy and its social significance, and the sociological variables emphasized. It is argued that despite the relative unfamiliarity of energy to many sociologists, an uncritical acceptance of the models. concepts, and assumptions of technological perspectives on energy is unwarranted. Energy reductionism. in particular, is a technological imperative that can have a very significant impact on the characteristics of sociological analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]