Regional Conflicts and National Policy (RFF Press)

Sunbelt versus snowbelt. Energy-rich versus energy-poor. The Sagebrush Rebellion, disputes over scarce western water, accusations by one region that another is the source of its conflicts among states and regions over natural resources seem to be growing in both number and intesity. Is the United States facing a new civil war over resources? The contributors to this book examine the evidence and find it wanting. The conflicts are real enough, but they pose few serious long-term threats to the state of the union. Moreover, the regional conflict has characterized the nation since its very beginnings and as often as not has served as an engine of positive change. Wise national policy will provide for the resolution of regional conflict where desirable and possible and be flexible enough to accommodate those few disputes that are irreconcilable.