Les apports potentiels des modèles de la base économique pour guider la décision publique. Illustration à partir de quelques exemples français et québécois

During the seventies, economic base theory has been considered only as a theoretical framework for regional development analysis. But with the renewal of its concepts and models, this theory may represent a tool to help decision makers. Indeed, economic base models are able to bring knowledge on four principal points : identification of potentialities of development, comparison of the major basic sectors, estimation of induced effects and evaluation of public policies induced effects. These models have been applied to some french and quebecer small rural areas and have produced interesting results for public decision makers. For example, it appears that activities caused by retirees, or tourists represent a great part of basic activities. Therefore, it may be beneficial to develop policies which encourage arrival of new populations Classification JEL : R230, R150, R190, R580.