The Social Constraints on the Preservation and Sustainable Development of Traditional Crafts in a Developed Society

Abstract

The aim of this work is to identify social constraints on the preservation and sustainable development of traditional crafts in a developed society and to propose a sociological model of possible actions and changes considering not only the situation of a craftsman, but also the potential consumers of goods produced by craftsmen using traditional techniques and designs. We argue that effective activities aimed at preserving and developing traditional skills and products must consider changes in the social environment of the craftsman, including changes in the potential consumer, a change in the meaning of products from purely instrumental to autotelic motivations related to the pro-ecological approach, local and national identity, and positive valuation of cultural diversity.