Economy of Village Alaska

Abstract

Villages around Alaska will confront a crucial question in the1990s: to what extent and under what conditions ca village economies continue to survive and achieve desired self-sufficiency? This paper provides an understanding of the economics of village Alaska. It reviews current thinking about the status of the village economy, and examines the contributions of subsistence, transfers, and the market to the economic well-being of villages. It also describes, in general, the limits to village economic self-sufficiency. Finally, the paper outlines how public policy could influence the future economics of the villages, and raises questions that could help inform policy decisions.