Presents a brief overview of four sociological theories concerning rural-urban differences: classical, determinist, compositional, and subcultural. Draws implications and applications for social workers and human service personnel. Suggests development of a typology which would include such components as theoretical orientation, roles of workers,…

Reports on a study that questions whether private enterprise can maintain quality while reducing costs of providing social welfare services. Reviews three aspects of privatization: (1) competitive markets; (2) rationality; and (3) cost reduction. Concludes by questioning a central claim of economic theory: that free markets and private firms are…

Considers natural, informal, and formal rural helping systems in an effort to clarify and elaborate concepts that are useful in understanding the context of rural practice. Describes and gives examples that influence available services: functionalist, historicist, acculturation, exchange, and ecological effects. (NEC)