Exploring Alternative Economic Practices in Appalachia

250 Pages·2016·1.93 MB·English

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Theses and Dissertations--Geography Geography
2014
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Amanda Fickey
University of Kentucky, [email protected]
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Fickey, Amanda, "Redefining Development: Exploring Alternative Economic Practices in Appalachia"
(2014). Theses and Dissertations--Geography. 23.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/geography_etds/23
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The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on
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Amanda Fickey, Student
Dr. Michael Samers, Major Professor
Dr. Patricia Ehrkamp, Director of Graduate Studies
REDEFINING DEVELOPMENT:
EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC PRACTICES IN APPALACHIA

________________________________________
DISSERTATION
_______________________________________
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the
College of Arts and Sciences
at the University of Kentucky

By

Amanda Lea Fickey

Lexington, Kentucky

Director: Dr. Michael Samers, Professor of Geography

Lexington, Kentucky

2014

Copyright © Amanda Lea Fickey 2014
ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION

REDEFINING DEVELOPMENT:
EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC PRACTICES IN APPALACHIA

This dissertation examines alternative economic practices and regional economic
development strategies in the Appalachian region. First, I deconstruct regional economic
development policies and practices. I argue that policy documents produced by the
Appalachian Regional Commission and the State of Kentucky have often limited
economic imaginings through the perpetuation of regional stereotypes and short-term,
decontextualized strategies. Then, I explore the existence of alternative economic
practices as well as the contradictory role of the state within the context of Eastern
Kentucky’s craft industry. Using a mixed methods approach, I investigate how the state
simultaneously supports cooperative craft production by perpetuating a geographical lore
pertaining to crafts produced in the State of Kentucky, and yet fosters a discourse of self-
sufficiency via entrepreneurial workshops that often alienate cooperative craft producers.
Finally, I highlight alternatives that have emerged in this industry in an effort to
document economic diversity and redefine development.

KEYWORDS: Appalachia, Kentucky, Crafts, Development, Alternative Economic
Practices

______________________________
Student’s Signature
______________________________
Date
REDEFINING DEVELOPMENT:
EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC PRACTICES IN APPALACHIA
By
Amanda Lea Fickey
__D__r_. M__i_c_h_a_el_ S_a_m__e_rs_____________
Director of Dissertation
__D__r._ P_a_t_r_ic_i_a _E_h_r_k_a_m_p____________
Director of Graduate Studies
__F_e_b_r_u_a_r_y _2_0_, _2_0_1_4______________
FOR ALEXANDREA
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Numerous individuals have assisted me in completing this dissertation. First and
foremost, appreciation goes to all craft producers and arts-related organizational leaders
in Eastern Kentucky that opened their offices, studios, homes and hearts to me over the
past few years. I cannot express how grateful I am to those who shared their personal
histories with me. I am indebted to Tim Glotzbach, Craig Dial, Ruth Ann Iwanski, Judy
Sizemore, Mary Reed and many others. Without their guidance, I would have been
unable to conduct this research. I hope that this dissertation contributes in some small
way to shifting the discourse regarding craft production, highlighting diversity within this
industry, and redefining development in Eastern Kentucky and beyond. It is also my hope
that this dissertation honors the memory of craft industry leaders, Garry Barker and Mike
Mullins. Each of these individuals is sorely missed by those who knew and worked with
them.
Funding and assistance has been provided by the Kentucky Oral History
Commission, University of Kentucky Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University
of Kentucky Appalachian Center, University of Kentucky Graduate School, University of
Kentucky Department of Geography and University of Kentucky Woman’s Club. Much
gratitude goes to Sarah Milligan, Ann Kingsolver, Doug Boyd, Evelyn Knight, Ron Pen,
Fran Redmon, Susan Goldstein and Philis Alvic. Additional support in the form of a
research fellowship that allowed me to finish my dissertation and conduct new research
came from the Central Appalachian Institute for Research and Development, the
University and Pikeville and the Appalachian Regional Commission.
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Michael Samers, my dissertation advisor, provided guidance and assistance
fundamental to my growth as a scholar and a writer. My dissertation committee: Sue
Roberts, Andy Wood, Dwight Billings and Ann Kingsolver, were encouraging and
supportive, providing feedback and insights throughout the research process as well as
many professional opportunities along the way. To Ron Eller, I owe special thanks.
Regrettably, Ron retired and stepped down from my committee before I was able to
complete this project. His work in Appalachia has been instrumental in shaping my
personal research philosophy. Other faculty members including Gary Shannon, Stan
Brunn, Karl Raitz, Jim Albisetti, Lynne Rieske-Kinney and Ron Hustedde have shown
me much kindness, encouragement, and support.
I was also blessed to begin this PhD program with a wonderful cohort of caring
individuals and I am thankful for them all. I have developed many friendships and
writing partnerships which I hope to maintain in the future (Brian and Kelsey, you have
been wonderful writing partners!). In addition, fate allowed another Appalachian scholar,
Sarah Watson, to join the geography department a few years after I started the program.
Our conversations about all-things-Appalachian, which have taken place in coffee shops,
restaurants, and during long car rides while traveling to Appalachian Studies Association
conferences together, have meant the world to me.
Outside of geography, I owe much to my Community Leadership and
Development family in the College of Agriculture, including Stephanie Fisher, Mia
Upton, Lindie Huffman, Kati Miller, Bill Riley, Amanda Lawrence, Bryan Hains and
Kristina Ricketts. In addition, I am grateful for my dear friend, Erin Pullen, in the
Department of Sociology. Erin has served as yet another amazing writing partner and
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reader/editor of my work. Chad Montrie at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell has
consistently provided a friendly ear and thoughtful conversation.
Outside of the country, I owe gratitude for assistance provided to me by Andrew
Leyshon, Andy Jonas and Martin Hess, fellow economic geographers who provided me
with scholarly assistance and sugary sustenance in the form of Revels Candies as well as
a few internationally-made craft products!
My parents, Jim and Mona, have always been supportive of me – emotionally and
financially – with a ‘no questions asked’ approach. I owe them more than I could ever
possibly repay. My younger sister, Alex, has provided me with inspiration and hope for
the future of the Appalachian region. Alex is fierce and determined – a real life Katniss
Everdeen. This dissertation is dedicated to her. The longtime friendships I have
maintained with Nikki Wooton and Denise Sutton So have helped me keep it all together.
I love you both. And, to my piano playing partner, David Gillespie, I am thankful for
your support, our beautiful puppy, Ziggy, and for restoring in me the love of music I lost
for a while after leaving music education to study history as an undergraduate. Perhaps I
work with artists and crafters because, deep down, I’ve always been one. I suspect that
my euphonium instructor, Skip Gray, knew this when he accepted me into his studio at
the University of Kentucky and awarded me a music scholarship many years ago. This
funding made attending college a reality for me. I am very grateful to Skip as well.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ xi

List of Tables............................................................................................................... xvii

List of Figures ............................................................................................................xviii

Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................... 1
Background and Statement of Problem ................................................................. 1
Defining “Appalachia” ......................................................................................... 2
Purpose of Study and Research Questions ............................................................ 5
Conceptual Framework ........................................................................................ 6
Fostering Alternative Economic Practices and Diverse Economies ........... 7
The Importance of the State with Respect to Diverse and Alternative
Economies .............................................................................................. 10
Employing Theories of Development and anti-Development from the
‘Global South’ ........................................................................................ 16
The Limits of Critical Rural Development Studies and Community-Based
Development .......................................................................................... 17
Expanding Historical Analysis of Craft Production in Appalachia .......... 24
Methodology and Research Methods .................................................................. 26
Structure of the Dissertation ............................................................................... 27

Chapter 2: Theoretical Perspectives on Understanding Diverse and Alternative
Economies: Review of Related Literature ...................................................................... 29
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 29
Diverse Economies and Alternative Economic Practices .................................... 30
The Birth of a Research Community ....................................................... 31
Reading for Difference: A Critical Mass of Work ................................... 35
Points of Debate ..................................................................................... 38
New Intellectual Pathways Exploring ‘Value’ and Historic-Geographic
Context ................................................................................................... 41
On the State and Neoliberalism .......................................................................... 45
Examining the Political Economy of NGOs ....................................................... 57
Theories of Development and Anti-Development ............................................... 60
Critical Rural Development Studies and Community Based-Development ......... 63
Historical Analysis of Craft Production .............................................................. 68
Summary ........................................................................................................... 71

Chapter 3: Materials and Procedures: Methodology of Research .................................... 73
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 73
Research Questions and Rationale for Methodology ........................................... 73
Site Selection and Its Challenges ........................................................................ 80
Selection of Interviewees ................................................................................... 79
Data Collection and Instrumentation .................................................................. 83
Oral Histories and Interviews ................................................................. 83
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