Rural sociology confronts a continuing crisis of identity because of its failure to develop a sociology of agriculture. Despite an initial focus on agriculture, rural sociology became deflected to the analysis of rurality. Several neo-Populist and neo-Marxist developments in the sociology of agriculture hold promise for a revised rural sociology.…

Examination of the implications on population redistribution of different value orientations of potential migrants and nonmigrants indicated that value-based push-pull forces seem to operate primarily on potential nonmetro-to-metro movers. Potential areas of social conflict stemming from such redistribution were noted. (Author/SB)

Case study describes a depressed rural New York community that became a migration destination for urban poor people, causing dramatic increases in poverty rate, welfare rolls, and service needs. In-migrants were attracted by low-income housing and, because of their limited job skills, were not deterred by lack of jobs. Discusses community impacts…