Assessing the social impact of rural development projects, the contributors to this book develop a cultural model based on theories of political economy and apply that model to a consideration of such factors as geography, language, economics, religion, and cultural patterns of domination. They focus on the interrelationship between cultural factors and social stratification. Their model serves as a means for moving from abstract discussions of political economy toward a practical application of social impact assessment. The book begins with theoretical essays developing the conceptual model, followed by a review of the relevant social impact assessment literature and case studies of rural projects that have affected such socially disadvantaged groups as laborers, women, ranchers, and ethnic minorities. In the final two chapters, the authors apply and test the cultural model, using the findings of the case studies, and draw new conclusions about the differential effects of rural resource development projects.