铁路、人口流动与城市化——略论美国西部开发模式

Railroad, Migration and Urban Growth——On the development of the American West

对于落后区域的开发过程 ,由于在其初期阶段必然存在着市场失灵 ,因此政府所承担的基础设施建设 ,是实现其发展的第一推动力。然后 ,一些必需的物质要素 ,如人口 ,才会逐渐流向该区域 ,从而使区域内的城市得到迅速的增长 ,并以此带动整个地区的城市化进程。这个普遍性的规律对于任何国家而言都是适用的。本文以此为线索 ,考察了美国历史上的西部开发过程 ,并与中国的西部开发进行了比较。

Because of market failure at the initial stage, infrastructure construction conducted by the government always plays as the first impetus to any regional development process. Through this bridge, some physical factors, such as population, are attracted to feed the backward area. As a result, cities grow fast and the region develops well. The experience can be shared by all countries. This paper reviews the history of west development in America. A comparison between U.S and China is made as well at the end.