Analysis of survey data from 539 community leaders in 120 rural Pennsylvania school districts found that, when the effects of need and socioeconomic and ecological characteristics were controlled, past community action and community solidarity had significant effects on adoption of various local economic development strategies. (TD)

Describes the role of the rural community development worker in achieving social change by encouraging participatory decision making. Presents results of a participatory research study in which the author, as a community worker, empowers a village with a failed water supply to seek change where they had previously experienced resistance by…

Uses ideological hegemony concept to analyze one local elite's efforts to "sell" community growth. Expands growth ideology research explaining wealth transfer from public to social elite in local areas. Examines government, media roles of disseminating "pro-growth" ideology with case studies. Property, progress, and community identified as central…