Capital and the state in regional economic development: the case of the coal industry in central Appalachia
This study examines theories of development policy to assess their relevance for the problems of persistently poor regions within advanced capitalist societies. The central premises of three sets of theories are explored using a multi-method approach that combines quantitative analysis of the impact of growth in the coal industry in rural Kentucky between 1960 and 1980, and qualitative analysis of the perspectives of coal industry executives on development in the coal fields. Theories are categorized into neoclassical, redistributionist and critical paradigms because this typology clarifies the differences in the role of capital and the state in development strategies. Results of analyses of economic and social change in rural Kentucky challenge neoclassical development theory. Greater economic growth in coal counties did not bring greater social progress. The analysis supports the redistributionist and critical theorists' thesis that widespread distribution of economic benefits is important to development. Counties with better distribution of income and work had better conditions in 1980, and coal counties have the greatest economic inequality. Comments of coal industry executives confirm the critical theorists' argument that capital resists State policies to redistribute economic surplus for investment in development.
- Research Organization:
- Kentucky Univ., Lexington (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6132508
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
COAL INDUSTRY
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
KENTUCKY
CAPITAL
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
STATE GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL REGION IV
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
USA
015000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects
294001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Coal
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology