An Application of Control Theory To Rural-Urban Migration and Urban Unemployment

Abstract

This paper is designed to be both expository and provocative. It is an attempt to pose the problem of rural-urban migration and urban unemployment as one in optimal control. Since this application is rather unusual, it can be expected to produce more cynicism than positive interest, but the novelty of the approach may offer its own fascination. The paper is divided into four sections. In Section II we introduce, pose, and solve the control problem. Section III is devoted to a discussion of an alternative solution procedure, and the last section to some concluding remarks.