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This book covers both the economics and politics behind the last 70 years of farm programs in the United States. Orden (agriculture and applied economics, Virginia Polytechnic Institute), Paarlberg (political science, Wellesley College), and Roe (applied economics and political economy, U. of Minnesota) review the successes and failures of traditional policies, and discuss the economic arguments for their liberalization or elimination. Significant space is dedicated to examining the results of the Uruguay Round multilateral GATT negotiations (1986-1993) and the farming program redesign legislated by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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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.
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