URBAN/REGIONAL ECONOMICS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT How does the research about rural economies in developed countries compare to urban/regional economics? What can the new generation contribute? This paper briefly reviews modern research concerning rural development in one country, the U.S., and reports indicators of U.S. rural distress. It examines the market forces and market failures that cause rural distress and that may limit the applicability of existing urban/regional theories to rural problems. A feast of uniquely rural issues that require—and should inspire—theoretical innovations in rural, urban, regional, and spatial economics are identified and discussed.