| Abstract: | Economic development in the U.S. context from the federal level is reviewed with emphasis on the urban-rural dimension. “Economic development” is theoretically discussed and defined. Appropriate intervention into free market processes is examined as to justifications and unit of analysis. U.S. economic development policy history is reviewed in its broader form of subsidy and risk reallocation under several conceptual schemes to show constituencies, complexity, urban-rural emphasis, and biases toward industrialization. A series of sociopolitical scenarios are introduced to explain these patterns. The relationship between economic policy and federalism is explored. A conception of “rural development” is developed and reconceptualization of development along a systemic perspective is urged. |
