摘要：Recent claims concerning the r i s e o f the Sunbelt closely resemble those previously made about the New South. It i s assumed that the South has f i n a l l y broken the t i e s o f dependency with the North and has embarked on a remarkable path o f self-sustained growth. I n f a c t , t h i s growth i n the south i s considered t o be l a r g e l y a t the expense o f the North. These and other s i m i l a r claims are based on f i v e assumptions about the South: 1) An economic transformation has occurred i n the region; 2) absentee ownership i s minimal; 3) b e n e f i t s o f economic growth has been d i f f u s e d t o most segments o f the population; 4) economic growth has reduced poverty and i n e q u a l i t y i n the region; and 5) government spending has spurred much o f the region's growth. These assumptions form the basis o f the d i f f u s i o n model of economic-industrial development. Examining these assumptions i n l i g h t o f a v a i l a b l e data, however, places i n question the v a l i d i t y o f claims made about the Sunbelt
