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Abstract This paper sets forth an interdisciplinary interpretation of social capital that will permit the concept to be used with precision in scholarly and scientific work. If the interpretation is accepted, the social capital concept cannot be regarded as a social theory, nor as a statement of normative goals. The interdisciplinary concept proposed here is applied to rural studies.

AbstractThis article reviews the methodological and theoretical foundations of natural resource and environmental economics prior to an examination of three examples of topics of current interest in the field. The three examples are nonmarket values, benefit—cost analysis, and the new institutional economics. The article draws on the review of contemporary work to identify a number of topics deserving of attention in subsequent work in this field. The items listed would have the effect of making future research more particular and less doctrinaire.

Rural America is an exceedingly diverse place, and this diversity constitutes a national asset. Diversity can be documented by an examination of any social or economic attribute one wishes to choose—educational attainment, per capita income, occupation, and ethnic background provide examples. This diversity shapes both the public policies applicable to the countryside and the opportunities of rural communities and rural people. Highly centralized public programs and policies, unless they provide for local adaptation, are unlikely to be successful. Many existing federal programs have outlived their usefulness. Federal entitlement programs continue to be enormously important to rural people and can be made even far more effective by recognizing rural differences. Not all rural areas will flourish in the future; the supply of rural places that would like to attract economic activity far exceeds the demand for such places. Exogenous forces that will improve the prospects for some rural areas include an increase in the number of people of retirement age and with a retirement income as well as growth of outdoor recreation and tourism activities. Entrepreneurship will continue to be of great importance as diverse rural places discover ways they can serve an increasingly urban and global society. The cost of distance and the benefits of space are key parameters in establishing the economic framework within which economic development will occur.

Diversity in the rural US can be documented by an examination of many social or economic attributes: eg, educational attainment, per capita income, occupation, & ethnic background. Highly centralized public programs & policies, unless they provide for local adaptation, are unlikely to be successful. Federal entitlement programs continue to be enormously important to rural people & can be made even far more effective by recognizing rural differences. Exogenous forces that will improve the economic prospects for some rural areas include an increase in the number of people of retirement age as well as growth of outdoor recreation & tourism activities. Entrepreneurship will continue to be of great importance as diverse rural places discover ways they can serve an increasingly urban & global society. The cost of distance & the benefits of space are key parameters in establishing the economic framework within which economic development will occur. Adapted from the source document.

AbstractAn entire economic system cannot be understood unless there is reliable knowledge about both rural and urban sectors, including their interactions. In particular, there are two anomalies that cannot be rationalized satisfactorily by existing economic theory: the decentralizing economic activities that proceed from the city to the countryside; and the unequal per capita economic rewards between rural and urban people over time. This article presents empirical evidence on the two anomalies, proposes an integrated framework of rural–urban space, discusses the historic interdependence of rural and urban places from the perspective of the integrated framework, and looks at the implications for research and public policy.