Policy Reform in American Agriculture

by Orden, David; Paarlberg, Robert; Roe, Terry L.

• ISBN13: 9780226632643
• ISBN10: 0226632644
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr

Summary

Despite substantial transformations in American agriculture, farm program spending remains a closely guarded prerogative of United States agricultural policy. Policy Reform in American Agriculture examines both the history of farm subsidies and the contemporary relevance of traditional farm programs to today's agricultural industries. This work analyzes the mixed performance of past agricultural support programs, reviews the current debate concerning farm policies, and critically assesses the often staunch political resistance to much-needed policy reforms. Casting a keen eye toward the most recent developments on both national and international fronts, the authors consider the ramifications of the 1996 Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act as well as multilateral efforts to gain agricultural reform during the Uruguay Round of GATT. Their prognosis hinges upon both the continued growth and competitiveness of the world market and, perhaps more importantly, the ongoing commitment of congressional reform advocates.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	vii	(2)
List of Tables	ix	(2)
Preface	xi
Introduction: The Political Problem of Farm Policy Reform	1	(11)
1. New Deal Policies and a Changing Farm Sector	12	(34)
2. Unilateral Postwar Reforms	46	(39)
3. Seeking Reform by International Negotiations	85	(40)
4. The 1996 FAIR Act	125	(40)
5. The Political Economy of the FAIR Act	165	(31)
6. The Uncertain Future of Farm Policy	196	(30)
Conclusion: Ending Farm Subsidies	226	(11)
Appendix: Summary of the FAIR Act	237	(8)
References	245	(12)
Name Index	257	(4)
Subject Index	261