Overview

This detailed account of the politics of opening agricultural markets explains how the institutional context of international negotiations alters the balance of interests at the domestic level to favor trade liberalization despite opposition from powerful farm groups. Historically, agriculture stands out as a sector in which countries stubbornly defend domestic programs, and agricultural issues have been the most frequent source of trade disputes in the postwar trading system. Although much protection remains, and despite frequent breakdowns of agricultural trade negotiations, these negotiations have resulted in substantial concessions. Food Fights over Free Trade shows that the liberalization that has occurred has been due to the role of international institutions.

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9780691122540

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This impressive book documents two ways in which international institutions sometimes help trade negotiators produce liberalizing outcomes despite entrenched resistance, by tilting politics within their countries against protected interests. Both sides in battles over trade and protection will find practical implications here. Scholars will find hypotheses about how variations in the institutional context change the international negotiation process, supported by an empirical tour de force. - John Odell, University of Southern California, author of Negotiating the World Economy This is a major piece of careful scholarship, of value to an important audience extending well beyond political science. - Robert Paarlberg, Wellesley College, author of The Politics of Precaution

""This impressive book documents two ways in which international institutions sometimes help trade negotiators produce liberalizing outcomes despite entrenched resistance, by tilting politics within their countries against protected interests. Both sides in battles over trade and protection will find practical implications here. Scholars will find hypotheses about how variations in the institutional context change the international negotiation process, supported by an empirical tour de force."" - John Odell, University of Southern California, author of Negotiating the World Economy ""This is a major piece of careful scholarship, of value to an important audience extending well beyond political science."" - Robert Paarlberg, Wellesley College, author of The Politics of Precaution""

Author Information

Christina L. Davis is Assistant Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University.

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