Issue 72: What works?

At RFF's 1981 Fall Forum, U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas (D—Mass.) appealed for "rationality and an approach free of ideology, in which the question is, What works? Not what should work, not what would we like to see work, but indeed, what works?"

While "what works?" is at least an implicit question running through every number of Resources, it is the explicit theme of this, our nineteenth annual "Highlights" issue. What were some of the key events of the last year concerning natural resources, energy, and environmental quality, and what do they portend for the near future? Looking further ahead, which trends and issues are likely to shape events for years to come?

Some highlights of 1982. The Reagan administration's move to sell some federal lands provoked outrage. Sterling Brubaker finds major problems in federal land management, but concludes that land disposal may have too many political enemies to be implemented.

The last Congress failed to reauthorize the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. John Mullahy and Paul Portney outline basic information needs of the Air Act, and Henry Peskin predicts that the new Congress will approve the Water Act without much change, but questions whether this is an unalloyed good.

A mild winter only partially stifled the outcry over rising natural gas prices in the midst of abundant supplies. Milton Russell explains how to keep the natural gas debate in perspective.

Last year saw much activity within the Reagan administration concerning electric utility regulation. Mark Lyons offers a tour of the issues and interests that make up electric power politics.

The mid-term future. Net farm income now invites comparison with the Great Depression, but Kenneth Farrell argues that too tight a focus on current problems can create lasting damage of greater dimension.

Whatever happened to synthetic fuels? Hans Landsberg and Michael Coda question some basic assumptions about synfuels development and suggest a fundamental shift in purpose for the Synthetic Fuels Corporation.

The federal ban on chlorofluorocarbon-powered spray cans only slowed—not stopped—CFC emissions to the stratosphere. Alphonse Forziati and others lay out damages from CFCs and suggest ways emissions might be further slowed.

The longer term. Are universities now up for sale? Herbert Morton's article outlines the recent history of corporate—university arrangements and discusses their implications.

China has embarked on an ambitious program to develop private fuel-wood plots to help meet her needs for rural energy supplies. Robert Taylor assesses China's progress.

Resources begins with Mancur Olson's sweeping examination of what works—and what does not—for national economies. Why is the United States mired in recession? What accounts for differences in national and regional performances? Olson advances a unique and provocative answer.