The article "Rethinking ‘left-behind’ places in a context of rising spatial inequalities and political discontent" by Danny MacKinnon, Vincent Béal, and Tim Leibert explores the concept of 'left-behind' places, which are post-industrial and rural areas characterized by economic decline and underperformance. The authors aim to broaden the understanding of these places by examining their origins, the processes that lead to their formation, the feelings of embitterment and hope among residents, and the responses of local and national actors. The special issue includes contributions from various countries, providing a cross-national perspective on the diverse meanings and manifestations of 'left-behind' places. Key themes include the relational and multi-scalar nature of peripheralization, the development traps that these regions often fall into, and the impact of austerity measures. The articles also discuss the role of policy interventions in addressing decline and discontent, highlighting the need for timely and effective policies to improve local conditions and foster long-term development.The article "Rethinking ‘left-behind’ places in a context of rising spatial inequalities and political discontent" by Danny MacKinnon, Vincent Béal, and Tim Leibert explores the concept of 'left-behind' places, which are post-industrial and rural areas characterized by economic decline and underperformance. The authors aim to broaden the understanding of these places by examining their origins, the processes that lead to their formation, the feelings of embitterment and hope among residents, and the responses of local and national actors. The special issue includes contributions from various countries, providing a cross-national perspective on the diverse meanings and manifestations of 'left-behind' places. Key themes include the relational and multi-scalar nature of peripheralization, the development traps that these regions often fall into, and the impact of austerity measures. The articles also discuss the role of policy interventions in addressing decline and discontent, highlighting the need for timely and effective policies to improve local conditions and foster long-term development.