Looking behind the curtain: a model of left behind places and feelings

The concept of “left behind” places is complex and multidimensional. It encompasses economic factors, demographic aspects, infrastructure and connectivity criteria, social factors, political and cultural aspects. Previous studies on the concept have only described the feeling of left behind very superficially. We therefore focus on the feeling of left behind. We show how individual feelings can become a regional phenomenon of left behind. The feeling of left behind is primarily fed by two components that are felt by many people in left behind places: autonomy deficit and low appreciation. Causes and suitable political measures for left behind places are derived from our conception.