A Billion Dollars a Day: The Economics and Politics of Agricultural Subsidies [Paperback]

E. Wesley F. Peterson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1405185864 | ISBN-13: 978-1405185868 | Publication Date: May 5, 2009 | Edition: 1

In a lively, non-technical, and up-to-date account, this book addresses the core questions that surround the issues of agricultural subsidies.

• Explores these questions: Why do we have subsidies? How did they evolve? What is the present and possible future of subsidies? What is their impact on a typical African farmer?
  
• Written for the general public, this book will also be useful for courses in Agricultural Policy
  
• Provides a detailed examination of subsidy histories and the current policies of the United States, various European countries, Australia and New Zealand, and Korea and Japan
  
• Includes a discussion of how these policies affect developing countries—examining, in particular, their impact on many African farmers

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Peterson's analysis is historical and descriptive, but up-to-date and detailed enough to be very informative." Jean-Paul Chavas, University of Wisconsin "This text's discussion and explanation of subsidies is well developed in a historical and international context that is not found elsewhere." Conrad Lyford, Texas Tech University "This text provides a good narrative on the economics of government intervention, the structure of the world food system and history of the WTO, and the provision of farm subsidies by developed economies, with a special focus on the U.S. and EU." P. Lynn Kennedy, Crescent City Tigers Alumni Professor, Louisiana State University "Peterson has done a nice job of taking complicated issues and explaining them in a manner that is understandable for students with limited background in policy, development, and trade. This well-written text brings both a US and a world perspective to the timely and important topics of government farm policy and food prices." Rick Whitacre, Illinois State University "This extremely well-researched and -documented book provides a comprehensive overview of the impact (both intentional and unintentional) that developed nations' agricultural policies can have on under-developed agricultural based nations." Jay E. Noel, Cal Poly State University "The main strength of this book is that it takes a long-term view of how agricultural policies have developed over the years to bring us where we are today. This long-term perspective enables the reader to appreciate the many complex issues - economic and political - involved in policy formulation, and the resulting entrenchment of policies that on the surface seem illogical." Michael D. Hammig, Clemson University "I do a lot of international development work and have been involved with policy analysis and formulation in the U.S. and abroad. I like the approach of this book as it draws attention to the many disparities encompassed by agricultural policy on the world stage." Michael D. Hammig, Clemson University

Review

"Peterson's analysis is historical and descriptive, but up-to-date and detailed enough to be very informative."
–Jean-Paul Chavas, University of Wisconsin

"This text’s discussion and explanation of subsidies is well developed in a historical and international context that is not found elsewhere."
–Conrad Lyford, Texas Tech University

"This text provides a good narrative on the economics of government intervention, the structure of the world food system and history of the WTO, and the provision of farm subsidies by developed economies, with a special focus on the U.S. and EU."
–P. Lynn Kennedy, Crescent City Tigers Alumni Professor, Louisiana State University

"Peterson has done a nice job of taking complicated issues and explaining them in a manner that is understandable for students with limited background in policy, development, and trade. This well-written text brings both a US and a world perspective to the timely and important topics of government farm policy and food prices."
–Rick Whitacre, Illinois State University

"This extremely well-researched and -documented book provides a comprehensive overview of the impact (both intentional and unintentional) that developed nations’ agricultural policies can have on under-developed agricultural based nations."
–Jay E. Noel, Cal Poly State University

"The main strength of this book is that it takes a long-term view of how agricultural policies have developed over the years to bring us where we are today. This long-term perspective enables the reader to appreciate the many complex issues - economic and political - involved in policy formulation, and the resulting entrenchment of policies that on the surface seem illogical. I do a lot of international development work and have been involved with policy analysis and formulation in the U.S. and abroad. I like the approach of this book as it draws attention to the many disparities encompassed by agricultural policy on the world stage."
–Michael D. Hammig, Clemson University

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405185864
• ISBN-13: 978-1405185868
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #461,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative, June 7, 2010

By 

Raymond Stetson - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Billion Dollars a Day: The Economics and Politics of Agricultural Subsidies (Paperback)

This book is great for anyone trying to get a better grasp on the full impact of food subsidies .

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, clear and compassionate, September 21, 2009

By 

Daniel Beckwith (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Billion Dollars a Day: The Economics and Politics of Agricultural Subsidies (Paperback)

Dr.Peterson writes clearly and thoughtfully, not only explaining subsidies historically, but, he further helps the reader understand and feel the impact of how the spending of these billions of dollars impacts the world we live in "human" terms. He makes this often discussed but little understood topic of subsidies understandable and relevant. It is an essential read for anyone with compassion and a desire to understand the human condition and the accompaning human rights.