Although the collective political influence of all rural Americans is potentially stronger than that of agricultural interests alone, it will be much weaker than that of suburban and urban residents for the foreseeable future. Serious questions are being raised about the intrusion of government in the daily lives and businesses of people across America. Cuts in public expenditures and reductions in government regulations are being proposed at all levels. Farm and other rural oriented programs are not exempt. Public investments in research and extension in Colleges of Agriculture are in decline.
Policy debates over environmental regulations are fierce and protracted.
There is a growing perception that future rural policies, will of necessity, be drastically different than those of the past. In the United States there has been a long history of belief in democratic institutions and in the efficacy of market economics. It is generally believed that adherence to these institutions will assure the highest level of economic well-being for the nation as a whole. Any public intervention which interferes with the free market system must be well justified. Historically the major test of appropriateness has been the impact of the specific public intervention on market efficiency .