Introduction

Social change and restructuring at the national and regional level is the product of the complex interaction of a variety of underlying political, economic, environmental and social sub-forces. For the opponents of this particular consumption good, second homes are often seen as a root cause of a range of social ‘problems’ (such as regional economic decline, rural depopulation or local housing shortages). The English-language literature surrounding second homes flourished during the 1970s. Before a more extensive examination of the literature, it is worthwhile noting that there have been a number of ‘traditional concerns’. The basis of any social enquiry must be the recognition and definition of the core concepts. The debate surrounding the definition of ‘second homes’ (for planning and information collation purposes) was at its most intense during the 1970s and many of the difficulties experienced at that time are far from being resolved today.