ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the questions raised concerning development in rural Alaska, and to interpret the progression of development since Alaska's statehood in 1959. It describes briefly the context of change and then outlines the parameters of development assistance. The chapter presents a description of government-assisted development on Alaska's North Slope, through the activities of the borough government. It investigates alternate models of governmental assistance through what may be called regional "quasi-governments." The chapter discusses of some emerging patterns of rural Alaska political development. In short, the assistance that capitalist development has provided has been primarily indirect or through the public sector. In the three issue areas of income and services, subsistence protection, and regulation of resource development, the North Slope Borough has brought about significant improvements for residents. Since the formation of the North Slope Borough in 1972, no other rural region of the state has become incorporated for municipal or regionwide governmental services.
