The Case for Rural America
Rural America is at a crossroads: either it will manage to sustain itself long-term, or—as current trends suggest—it will continue to disappear through depopulation and urbanization. There have been calls for economic redevelopment, but even with these proposals, J. Tom Mueller argues that policymakers, politicians, and academics rarely make a clear case for why rural America matters and is worth saving in the first place. In this provocative book, Mueller meets these issues head-on by presenting a critique of conventional economic development efforts while also articulating why rural America is worthy of preservation.

The Case for Rural America outlines the actions necessary to save our rural places and the people who live there. By suggesting approaches that would benefit urban populations as well as rural—such as establishing a universal basic income and implementing single-payer healthcare—Mueller offers a nuanced understanding of the complex needs of rural America while providing solutions that would benefit us all.
1147183459
The Case for Rural America
Rural America is at a crossroads: either it will manage to sustain itself long-term, or—as current trends suggest—it will continue to disappear through depopulation and urbanization. There have been calls for economic redevelopment, but even with these proposals, J. Tom Mueller argues that policymakers, politicians, and academics rarely make a clear case for why rural America matters and is worth saving in the first place. In this provocative book, Mueller meets these issues head-on by presenting a critique of conventional economic development efforts while also articulating why rural America is worthy of preservation.

The Case for Rural America outlines the actions necessary to save our rural places and the people who live there. By suggesting approaches that would benefit urban populations as well as rural—such as establishing a universal basic income and implementing single-payer healthcare—Mueller offers a nuanced understanding of the complex needs of rural America while providing solutions that would benefit us all.
22.99 Pre Order
The Case for Rural America

The Case for Rural America

by J. Tom Mueller
The Case for Rural America

The Case for Rural America

by J. Tom Mueller

eBook

$22.99 
Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on October 21, 2025

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Overview

Rural America is at a crossroads: either it will manage to sustain itself long-term, or—as current trends suggest—it will continue to disappear through depopulation and urbanization. There have been calls for economic redevelopment, but even with these proposals, J. Tom Mueller argues that policymakers, politicians, and academics rarely make a clear case for why rural America matters and is worth saving in the first place. In this provocative book, Mueller meets these issues head-on by presenting a critique of conventional economic development efforts while also articulating why rural America is worthy of preservation.

The Case for Rural America outlines the actions necessary to save our rural places and the people who live there. By suggesting approaches that would benefit urban populations as well as rural—such as establishing a universal basic income and implementing single-payer healthcare—Mueller offers a nuanced understanding of the complex needs of rural America while providing solutions that would benefit us all.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781469683126
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date: 10/21/2025
Series: Rural Studies Series
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 182

About the Author

J. Tom Mueller is assistant professor of population health and director of the Kansas Center for Rural Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“An impressive analysis of what ails rural America and what can save it. It’s clear J. Tom Mueller is invested in rural places and people and his advocacy transcends mere policy suggestions. A much-needed intervention.”—Justin Farrell, Yale University

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