The aim of this article is to analyze the pattern of local development in Quebec (Canada): a very wide and sparsely populated territory. A specific attention will be dedicated to the main actors having contributed to the development of this model. We will also look at the relations, including in terms of power, which are structured between these actors at national and local level: state, market, civic society, associations, social economy, regional institutions and provincial government etc. In order to observe its development - as far as the concepts and practices are concerned - we will also focus on the reforms recently introduced by the provincial government. In our opinion, as we will try to observe in this paper, these changes can negatively affect the capacity of mobilization of local actors: in terms of resources available (austerity) but more in general regarding democracy and participation. These arguments will be supported by some examples from our various empirical research conducted in the last years in urban and rural areas of Québec.
Keywords: Social Development, Territorial Development, Communities, Canada, Québec Jel Classification:
Jel Code: R, I, O