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Public Choice Theory And Australian Agricultural Policy Reform

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  • William J. Martin

Abstract

Recent discussion of the process of policy reform has tended to focus on public and private interest theories of public choice as alternative models. The analysis of Australian agricultural policy presented in this paper draws on several extensions of the private interest model including the contractarian framework, extra-rational considerations such as moral attitudes and the desire to participate. Recent agricultural policy reforms in Australia are examined in the light of those theories. This examination highlights the importance of ideas and changes in the rules for policy formulation in influencing policy outcomes. In some cases the private interest theory appears to offer an adequate explanation while, in others, it provides only a partial explanation of policy change, and requires extension if policy choice is to be influenced, or even understood. An important independent role for economists and policy makers is seen both in the formulation of policies and in the design of rules for policy choice.
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  • William J. Martin, 1990. "Public Choice Theory And Australian Agricultural Policy Reform," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 34(3), pages 189-211, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajarec:v:34:y:1990:i:3:p:189-211
    DOI: j.1467-8489.1990.tb00495.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Watson, Alistair S., 1996. "Principles of Grain Marketing: Some Lessons from Australian Experience," Technical Reports 113821, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
    2. Abdullah Mamun & Will Martin & Simla Tokgoz, 2021. "Reforming Agricultural Support for Improved Environmental Outcomes," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 43(4), pages 1520-1549, December.
    3. Anderson, Kym & Lattimore, Ralph G. & Lloyd, Peter J. & MacLaren, Donald, 2007. "Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Australia and New Zealand," 2007 Conference (51st), February 13-16, 2007, Queenstown, New Zealand 10407, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    4. Potts, Jason & Kastelle, Tim, 2017. "Economics of innovation in Australian agricultural economics and policy," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 96-104.
    5. Goedecke, E. J. & Ortmann, G. F., 1992. "Farm Worker Legislation: Interest Groups And Developments," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 31(4), December.
    6. Johnson, Robin W., 2000. "The Role of Institutions in Policy Formation and Delivery," 2000 Conference, August 13-18, 2000, Berlin, Germany 197206, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. MacAulay, T. Gordon, 1995. "Games, Clubs And Models: The Economics Of An Agricultural Economics Society," Australian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 39(1), pages 1-23, April.
    8. D. MacLaren, 1992. "The Political Economy Of Agricultural Policy Reform In The European Community And Australia," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(3), pages 424-439, September.
    9. Wright, P. D. & Nieuwoudt, W. L., 1993. "The Political Economy Of The South African Dairy Industry: A Public Choice Analysis," Agrekon, Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa (AEASA), vol. 32(1), March.
    10. Rose, Roger N., 1992. "Changes in native forest management policy," 1992 Conference (36th), February 10-13, 1992, Canberra, Australia 147307, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    11. Johnson, R.W.M., 1995. "Modelling Government Processes and Policies in Agriculture: A Review," Review of Marketing and Agricultural Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 63(03), pages 1-11, December.
    12. Scrimgeour, Frank G. & Pasour, E.C., Jr., 1994. "The Public Choice Revolution and New Zealand Farm Policy," Review of Marketing and Agricultural Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 62(02), pages 1-11, August.

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