Globalization and the Rural-Urban Divide

This book is a compilation of latest contributions on rural-urban disparities associated with economic growth and development, and policy options to alleviate a perceived divide between cities and hinterland. It includes articles from foremost researchers in urban, rural and international economics Vernon Henderson (Brown University), Paul Cheshire (London School of Economics and Political Science), Kym Anderson (University of Adelaide), Shenggen Fan (International Food Policy Research Institute), Devashish Mitra (Syracuse University), Mark Partridge (Ohio State University) and JunJie Wu (Oregon State University). This book s global coverage includes findings from major developed and developing economies (United States, Europe, China, India, Korea, Canada, Australia, Chile and Africa). Evidence of rural-urban disparities and their root causes in each economy are examined in detail with emphasis on the role of globalization, i.e. increased flows of trade, investment and knowledge among economies. The authors eloquently articulate the challenges in alleviating the divide in an urban-biased policy environment of most economies.