Introduction

Originally published in 1981, the main thesis of this book is that rural labour markets are at the core of the problem of rural depopulation in development countries. Therefore, the success or failure of policies seeking to moderate the process of population decline is linked to the policy maker’s ability to influence labour markets constructively.

Migration and Rural Decline

Migration in search of work has been a major cause of rural decline, and its reversal to bring about economically viable communities must be related to the availability of employment in rural areas.

Goals of Rural Economic Policy

The authors argue that the emergence of socially viable communities is the highest aim in rural economic policy making. Economic viability is usually a necessary but not a sufficient condition for social survival.

Audience and Relevance

This examination of the problems of choosing appropriate policies for rural areas, though written by two applied economists, will also be of interest to geographers, planners, and politicians interested or involved in local and central government in the UK, the USA, and Australia.