Conflict in the Communication of Technology: Remarks on the Evolving Situation in U. S. and Yugoslav Rural Development.

The "Agricultural Trinity" consists of agricultural extension, education, and research institutions. While in the beginning the goal of these institutions was to improve rural conditions by equalizing the economic and social status of all rural people, today there exists a conflict between the people and these institutions. The processes of institutionalization and audience politization along with the magnification of technology and resource wastage are in turn critically undermining program effectiveness. Thus, the Trinity is encountering continuing setbacks in the United States and Yugoslavia. Most Trinity institutions are preoccupied with maintaining "existence" rather than with fielding action programs to service the rural areas, and other institutions lack the resources. In this paper, specific areas of conflict with the Trinity, as seen by the rural people and the field staff in the United States and Yugoslavia, are examined. Summary sketches of 2 to 3 conflicts stemming from program inconsistencies and paradoxes precede each of 3 questions: (1) Who is going to service the rural population? (2) Who is going to be serviced? and (3) What is the service going to consist of? Conflicts which are seen to be unfolding in the United States and Yugoslavia today are discussed. (NQ)