Which attributes of culture can we measure? The case of Hungarian micro-regions

Abstract

Assessing the economic role of culture and interpreting it in connection with regional and urban development are becoming important. This paper aims to reflect on the possible means of quantification regarding the attributes of culture. Given that the authors are compelled to restrict the scope of analysis to the certain segments of culture attempts are made at investigating the properties of culture using multivariate statistical methods (factor analysis, K-means clustering, correlation) in the case of Hungarian micro-regions. After typifying the Hungarian micro-regions the paper conclude that significant differences are observed regarding the micro-regions of West and South Transdanubia, Northern Hungary and the Great Plain but there are also considerable disparities between the urban and rural areas of Hungary. Finally, the paper highlights some critical issues concerning the results and argues for an appropriate cultural policy in Hungary.