Third World energy policies The urban-rural divide

Publication Year: 1983

Author(s): Rajendra K Pachauri

Abstract:

This article investigates the differences in energy consumption generally found in the urban and rural sectors of Third World nations. Energy policies in these nations are generally found to reflect the dualism of developing economies with a widespread neglect of rural energy problems. A quantitative model is developed using simple functions to represent a household's allocation of time, explicitly including market as well as non-market activities and commercial and non-commercial energy. On this basis, it is inferred that situations of extreme fuel scarcity in rural areas can best be managed by governments organizing emergency supplies of fuel in compensation for productive work. Specific reference is made to the food and fuel problems of Sahelian Africa in this context. Directions for further empirical research using the model developed are suggested, with the example of work already done in India.

Source: Energy Policy, Vol. 11(3): 217-224p.

Publisher/Organisation: Elsevier

URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0301421583900782