Diminishing Utility

Abstract

In public-choice theories of local growth and development, political elites, business elites, and citizens are all believed to demand growth. Local governments are assumed to maximize self-interest by pursuing high-income individuals and firms. The view that public opinion regarding growth and development is always positive and consensual is challenged in this article. The findings of this study indicate that citizen attitudes are conditioned by the perceived level of growth in the respondent's community.