A systems model of rural development

This paper presents a systems model that views rural development as the outcome of interactions between various rural system components – pattern of asset distribution, organizations and institutions and incentive structure in the region and the external relations to the outside world. It uses the model to interpret the rural development experience in Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Indonesia and Nigeria, identifying the links between the asset–organizational–incentive–relational mix in these countries and their respective developmental styles and achievements. Finally, the model's potential use for generation of coherent developmental interventions consistent with and supportive of desired developmental objective is illustrated.