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Special Interests versus the Public Interest in Policy Determination

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  • Gordon C. Rausser
  • Gérard Roland

Abstract

This paper focuses on recent theoretical developments in political economy and what role they might play in explaining and reforming individual country and global distortions in food and agricultural markets. Four groups of forces are isolated: political governance structures emphasizing the role of democratic mechanisms; the design of polycentric structures for assigned governmental authority for setting policy instruments; market structure and other socioeconomic characteristics; and the role of sector mobility and asset diversification. Each of these forces are distilled and data sources are reviewed that will allow econometric specifications that have both explanatory and policy reform implications.
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  • Gordon C. Rausser & Gérard Roland, 2009. "Special Interests versus the Public Interest in Policy Determination," World Bank Publications - Reports 28251, The World Bank Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wboper:28251
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    2. Colin Poulton, 2014. "Democratisation and the Political Incentives for Agricultural Policy in Africa," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 32(s2), pages 101-122, September.

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