Book by RSS’s Tim Slack and Shannon Monnat Provides Insights into Rural Americans’ Use of the Informal Economy
RSS Members Tim Slack and Shannon Monnat report in their recent book, Rural and Small-town America (University of California Press 2024) on a compelling study that sheds light on the informal economy’s role in rural communities. The research finds that rural residents are more likely to participate in off-the-books work, barter systems, and other non-traditional economic exchanges. These activities often serve as lifelines in areas where formal employment opportunities are limited.
“In a small town, you either know people directly, or you sort of know them through the people they know. And it’s exactly those kinds of things that facilitate the ability to engage in informal work together.” — Tim Slack, Louisiana State University