Peasants Versus City-Dwellers

Provides an objective study of the conflict between town and country, which is an important feature of economic development. This book sheds new light on some of the historical controversies. Each chapter contains a non-technical statement of the problems at hand and a summary of the analysis. This volume looks at the serious conflicts that often arise between the interests of town and country in the early phases of economic development. Most of today's developing countries face town-versus-country tensions with increasing severity, including such issues as who should pay how much in taxes, who should get how much in subsidies, and what forms the taxes and subsidies should take. The authors analyse these tensions and issues, taking into account the great diversity of institutions and economic environments observed in different developing countries. The book also sheds new light on some of the historical controversies. Each chapter contains a non-technical statement of the problems at hand and a summary of the analysis.