SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS JULY, 1982 RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN AN AUSTERE ENVIRONMENT: THE CHALLENGE OF THE EIGHTIES

It is clear, even to the most casual observer, and powerful, the poor will eventually benefit that the era of intensive spending for rural de- (Greider). Thus, it is clear that the programs are velopment ended with the 1970s. The combined not designed to bring about equality of welfare effects of inflation and recession, and the efforts between regions. The latter implies a minimiza-of the Reagan administration to reduce govern- tion of the traditional role of the federal govern-ment spending to combat these problems, signal ment in dealing with structural effects of change the beginning of a new era in rural development. (Hoover, p. 258-59). While there has been considerable disenchant- These observations are confirmed by a listing ment with the morass of unrelated federal agen- of the major legislative and executive changes cies and spending programs that have constituted that are now, or are likely to become, policy. The the actors and means in the process of rural de- following are gleaned from the popular media velopment policy, the current milieu seems to and, thus, no attribution is given. Also, they are have created considerable pessimism concerning not listed in any order of surity or importance, the future of rural areas. The degree to which nor should they be considered an all-inclusive such a pessimistic outlook is justified is debat- list