Since there seem to be greater differences among cities and among rural areas than between the two categories, community developers should base their strategies on other criteria, such as education, economic or income levels, decision making patterns, organizational participation, and mobility. (LY)

Presents a philosophical and theoretical critique of community development's transformation into economic development. Introduces a successful rural revitalization process termed "community encouragement" and integrates a community's traditional values with progressive revitalization plans. (JOW)

Focuses on the issue of selecting the unit of analysis when employing secondary data in rural community studies and provides an empirical demonstration of the influence of selecting one unit of analysis over another. (JOW)

Rural reflation is a term for a small-scale socioeconomic approach to building livable economics in both depressed rural communities and rapid growth areas. With public participation, informed leadership, and organizational entrepreneurship, leaders can help citizens develop their community's niche in the world economy. (Author)

Deadwood, South Dakota, and Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek, Colorado, legalized gambling; in South Dakota, most earnings are earmarked for historic preservation, but in Colorado, they go into the general fund. Success in job creation, investment, and tourism has been accompanied by increased social problems. (SK)

Addresses the problems associated with deliberation: (1) hyperindividualism; (2) limited public dialog; and (3) increased hegemony of science and technology. Describes the naturalistic evaluation model used in rural Kentucky to critique the application of the National Issues Forum methodology. (JOW)

Discusses factors affecting attitudes of community leaders and residents toward community change. Leaders' and residents' attitudes are compared. Presents strategies for more effective local action relevant to community development practitioners. (JOW)

Data from Oregon communities, 1949-1989, show dramatic changes in income between urban centers and rural communities at the periphery. Coping strategies for rural areas include cartels, self-sufficiency, community sustainability, harmonized interests with urban cores, and changing community identity. (Author/SK)

Examines the disruptive effects of a public-private effort to introduce an innovative venture intended to spur economic development in a small, southern, rural community. Suggests that entrepreneurial activity is most likely to occur under the conditions described in the conflict model of community power. (JOW)

Explores some of the more important changes that are occurring because of the farm crisis and discusses how they affect rural community development needs. Examines (1) characteristics of those failing in agriculture; (2) changes in farm production practices resulting from the crisis; and (3) problems experienced by farmers and farm families. (JOW)

Discusses the value of a state rural policy center and identifies seven policy program areas. Presents the role of community development practitioners in contributing to the development of rural policy initiatives and implications for initiative development. (JOW)

This paper presents the results of a regional planning district commission survey that suggests that local and regional governments are not responding to the changing economic options with broad-based developmental strategies. Few commissions are involved with strategies that recognize and build on local and regional strengths for creative types…

Steps in an integrated model include (1) problem solving (exploration, assessment, goal setting, planning, implementation, evaluation); (2) community building (entering, discovering, developing relationships, building an organization, enhancing capacity, phasing out, exiting); and (3) systems interaction (change agent system, client system, action…

Community development practitioners in rural areas need to develop strategies for coping with rural dependence on core organizations such as multinational corporations and national governments. Rural communities should discuss issues, join forces with other communities, interact with core actors, and find ways to be more self-reliant. (SK)

The Agricultural Women's Leadership Network illustrates the following processes of social change in gendered organizations: (1) change begins as social networks expand to focus on issues; (2) women's organizations gain a foothold during economic crises; (3) new interdependencies bring new organizational alliances; (4) change continues as identity…