The changes in rural America can be best understood by examining the major institutional actors in market, state and civil society. These institutional spheres, which overlap in different ways at different times and places, are all critical for societies rural and urban to flourish.
Market Markets are the many firms and institutions that exchange goods and services at a profit.
When there is competition and free flow of information, they are incredibly efficient at distributing goods and services to those who can pay. They are not as efficient at distributing goods and services to those who cannot pay or at protecting the environment. The market is highly dynamic, with much competition and the constant entrance and exit of firms. Market institutions are present at the local, state, national and transnational levels. These institutions sometimes compete, sometimes collaborate, and are integrated forward and backward to differing degrees.