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Are U.S. Farm Programs Good Public Policy? Taking Policy Performance Seriously

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  • Hopkins, Jeffrey W.
  • Taylor, Michael A.

Abstract

Distributional analysis is employed to assess the ethical acceptability of agricultural policy along plurastic moral criteria. Using 1999 micro-data from USDA ARMS survey and the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, we discuss policy performance (measured as the effect of direct government payments on the distribution of incomes and profits) relative to policy goals. We show that current programs only minimally address the post-?farm problem? objective of providing a safety net, and the goal of providing an abundant supply of agricultural products is potentially well-implemented given institutional constraints.

Suggested Citation

  • Hopkins, Jeffrey W. & Taylor, Michael A., 2001. "Are U.S. Farm Programs Good Public Policy? Taking Policy Performance Seriously," 2001 Annual meeting, August 5-8, Chicago, IL 20706, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea01:20706
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.20706
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    1. James T. Bonnen & David B. Schweikhardt, 1998. "The Future of U.S. Agricultural Policy: Reflections on the Disappearance of the "Farm Problem"," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 20(1), pages 2-36.
    2. Goodwin, Barry K., 2000. "Instability And Risk In U.S. Agriculture," Journal of Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics Association of Georgia, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Randall, Alan, 1999. "Why Benefits and Costs Matter," Choices: The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 14(2), pages 1-4.
    4. Gardner, Bruce L, 1992. "Changing Economic Perspectives on the Farm Problem," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 30(1), pages 62-101, March.
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