Author Profile

Gale Williamson served as Chairman of the Economics Department 1997-2000 and as the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies 2001-2002 and 2004-2005. He is now the Laird Bell Professor of Economics, Emeritus, Honorary Fellow in the Department of Economics at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and Research Fellow for the Centre for Economic Policy Research. He was Master of Harvard's Mather House from 1986 to 1993 and twice-recipient of the Galbraith Prize for the best teacher in Harvard's graduate economics program. In addition, he is past-President of the Economic History Association (1994-1995), from whom he received the Hughes Prize for outstanding teaching in 2000. Having retired from Harvard in July 2008, Professor Williamson no longer teaches, but continues to do research on economic history and the contemporary Third World. Some topics he has explored recently include: the growth and distributional implications of the demographic transition in Asia 1950-2025 and the Atlantic economy 1820-1940; the impact of international migration, capital flows and trade on factor price convergence in the greater Atlantic economy since 1830; the sources of globalization backlash before World War I; the causes of the cessation of convergence during the de-globalization years between 1914 and 1950; a detailed analysis of both the sources and consequences of the mass migrations prior to the 1920s and after the 1950s; the economic implications of 1492.

About The Book

Rural development remains a critical aspect of national development, as it holds the key to unlocking the potential of rural areas and improving the livelihoods of millions of people. The 21st century has brought about significant changes in the rural landscape, with new challenges and opportunities emerging. On one hand, rural areas face challenges such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to basic services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. On the other hand, there are opportunities for rural development through innovative technologies, sustainable agriculture practices, and inclusive economic growth. This book aims to explore the challenges, opportunities, and future directions for rural development in the 21st century. It will examine the current state of rural development, identify the key challenges and opportunities, and discuss potential strategies for promoting sustainable and inclusive rural development. By analyzing the complex issues surrounding rural development, this book seeks to contribute to the ongoing debate on how to promote rural prosperity and improve the lives of rural communities. The history of economic development of countries show that there have been countless examples of institutional agencies that have played pivotal role in fulfilling certain developmental activities. Cooperation as an institution is used in various countries as instrument of economic growth. The economic performance of rural regions around the world is lagging, despite efforts by governments and local leaders to address the problem.

Table of Contents

Preface
1.
INTRODUCTION TO
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT....................................................................1
1.1 Growth Versus Development
1.2 History Of Development Theory
1.3 Models Of Industrialization
1.4 Changes In Recent Development Thinking
1.5 What Lessons Have We Learned
And Where Do We Go From Here?
2.
ECONOMIES IN TRANSITION:
SOCIALIST TO MARKET..........................................................................28
2.1 Economic Systems
2.2 Economic Performance Of Socialism
2.3 Some Analysts On Transition
2.4 The Russian Experience
2.5 The Chinese Experience
2.6 Explanation For Different Reform Paths
2.7 Sustainable Growth
3.
NEW GENERAL THEORY OF
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT..................................................................61
3.1 Introduction
3.2 What Is Economic Development?
3.3 Elusive Mechanisms Of Economic Development
3.4 Gaps In The General Theory: Economic Development Is An Inclusive Process
3.5 New General Theory Of Economic Development
3.6 Initiating Economic Development
3.7 Sustaining Economic Development
3.8 Conclusion
4.
CONCEPTS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT...............................................82
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Defining Development
4.3 Rural Regions And Development
4.4 Rural Development Strategies
4.5 Conclusions
5.
RURAL POLICY..........................................................................................98
5.1 What Is Rural Policy?
5.2 Why Rural Policy?
5.3 A Brief History Of Rural Policy
5.4 The New Rural Paradigm
5.5 The Current Context For Rural Policy
5.6 The Current State Of Rural Policy
5.7 Why Is Rural Policy Development So Hard To Accomplish?
5.8 Conclusions
6.
GRASSROOTS RURAL DEVELOPMENT.............................................109
6.1 Introduction
6.2 The Context Of Grassroots Development
6.3 Grassroots Development As A Challenge To Modernization
6.4 What Is Grassroots Development?
6.5 Grassroots Development In Rural Context
6.6 How Is Grassroots Development Implemented In Rural Communities?
6.7 Does Grassroots Development Contribute To Improving The Human Condition?
7.
RESOURCE DEPENDENCE AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT.........................................................................123
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Dependence And Development: The Trajectory Of Metaphors
7.3 Defining Development In The Context Of Resource Dependence
7.4 Descriptive Findings: Resource Dependence And Community Well-Being
7.5 Variability By Operational Definitions And Context
7.6 Global Climate Change, Resource Dependence And Rural Development
7.7 Conclusions
8.
AGRICULTURE AND
RURAL DEVELOPMENT.........................................................................134
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Farming And Rural Development Globally
8.3 Production Agriculture And Rural Community Development
8.4 Alternative Agriculture And Rural Development
8.5 Conclusion
9.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP............................................................................154
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Defining And Measuring Entrepreneurship
9.3 Perceptions Of Entrepreneurship
9.4 The Local Impact Of Entrepreneurship
9.5 Options For Expanding Entrepreneurship
9.6 Conclusion
10.
THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT
ATTRIBUTES OF TOURISM...................................................................170
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Relevant Theory
10.3 On Defining Rural Tourism And The Rural Tourism Product
10.4 Rural Development Implications Of The Tourism Product
10.5 Conclusions
11.
GENDER AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT..............................................185
11.1 Shifting Work Patterns
11.2 Entrepreneurship And Small-Business Development
11.3 Shifting Gender Relations In Agriculture
11.4 Looking At Value Chains As Rural Development
11.5 Beyond The Market: What About Reproduction?
11.6 Rural Policies Related To Gender In The Us
11.7 Gender Mainstreaming At The Heart Of Policies For Rural Gender Issues
12.
THE SUCCESSES AND
CHALLENGES OF MICROFINANCE....................................................199
12.1 What Is Microfinance?
12.2 Microfinance Operations And Lending Methodology
12.3 The Expansion Of Microfinance
12.4 Mission Drift, Outreach And Poverty Reduction
12.5 Land Titling And Incomplete Rural Credit Markets
13.
CORN ETHANOL &
NON-METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT............................................214
13.1 The Hypothesized Development Impacts Of Ethanol Factories On Non-Metropolitan Localities
13.2 The Value Chain In Ethanol Production
13.3 Business Location Theory And The Selection Of Sites For Ethanol Factories
13.4 Research Methods
13.5 Findings
13.6 Conclusion
14.
LAND GRABBING IN THE
NAME OF DEVELOPMENT....................................................................239
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Yield Gaps, Satellite Imagery And Corporate Enclosures
14.3 Contract Farming, Adverse Incorporation And Accumulation By Dispossession
14.4 Beyond Codes Of Conduct: Public Investors’ Involvement In Land Grabs
14.5 Conclusion
15.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA.........................................................................255
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Approaches To Rural Development In Africa
15.3 Major Trends Underlying Rural Development In Africa
15.4 Institutional Arrangements For Rural Delivery Of Goods And Services
15.5 Agricultural Development
15.6 The Rural Non-Farm Economy
15.7 Conclusion
Bibliography...............................................................................................274
Index...........................................................................................................298