Abstract This paper examines several areas of concern for agricultural economists when they look towards the future. Some of these areas of interest are nutrition and health, the possibility of using food products for uses other than consumption, and genetic adaptation of crops. However, the paper highlights three major interests of agricultural economists, the supply of food available, farm productivity and profits, and agriculture production that will be friendly to the environment.
From the Paper "The availability of food supplies in the world is a primary interest and concern for agricultural economists. In an article by Lester Brown, he compares our use of the natural resources to the use of an endowment, which we have now started to utilize in addition to the interest and this leads to bankruptcy. He states, "By satisfying our excessive demands through overconsumption of the Earth's natural assets, we are in effect creating a global bubble economy" (Brown 1). Several issues impact the concern of the world's food supply."
Abstract This is a historical geography paper for which gazetteer maps and figures were provided. The writer includes a look at Acadian settlement, post-U.S. Revolution and comparative material regarding Quebec, en route to the history of agriculture as it affected low industrialization in Nova Scotia. The writer also discusses some comparison with New Brunswick, NFLD and western provinces.
From the Paper "This paper reflects an interesting exercise in deducing changes in agriculture in what is now the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, from the mid-17th century establishment of a French settlement of Acadia that was annexed by the British in the later 18th century, on to the end of the 19th century. The approaches of Historical Geography allow understanding of longstanding patterns, and the importance of regional and local patterns of social, political, technological and market change, towards an ongoing place apart, in an unique Nova Scotia environment."
Abstract This paper discusses the American agriculture industry in general, and the cranberry growing sector in particular. The author explains how cranberry growing affects other agricultural and non-agricultural areas such as economics and cosmetics. In addition, cranberry growing enables the US to penetrate and compete with international markets.
From the Paper "The vitality that characterizes United States agriculture began to develop more than two centuries ago, at the arrival of the Industrial Revolution. From the earliest days of United States History, farming has held a crucial place in the American economy and culture. Farmers play a vital role in any society, but farming has been particularly valued in the United States because farmers were the pinnacle of the economic virtues that Americans to this day hold in high esteem, such as hard work, initiative, and self-sufficiency. Moreover, many Americans found that owning a farm was a ticket that allowed them to participate in the American economic system, Especially immigrants who may have never were given the opportunity to own land and did not have ownership over their own labor or products."
Abstract This paper deals with the issue of free trade in agricultural products versus protectionism that is one of the fiercest international economic debates. It discusses the arguments of the proponents of free trade who believe in opening the global market with as few restrictions on trade as possible and those of the proponents of protectionism who believe in concentrating on the welfare of the domestic farming community. The stage at which the talks over subsidies take place is the World Trade Organization ("WTO").
Paper Outline:
Introduction
The Economics of Agriculture Some Numbers
A Comparative Advantage of the Poor
The Reasons for Protectionism
The WTO and the Prisoner's Dilemma
From the Paper "However, why do the rich countries like those of the European Union as well as the US today still subsidize their farmers to the tune of billions of dollars a year? Beginning in the 1930s most industrialized countries developed agricultural price-support policies to reduce the volatility of prices for farm products and to increase, or at least stabilize, farm income. Subsequently, in food-exporting countries, such as the United States and France, agricultural subsidies have been designed primarily to increase farm income, either by raising the long-term level of prices above free-market levels or by providing direct payments to farmers."
Abstract The essay is a systematic synthesis of the literature on economic history and political science that explains the East Asian miracle. It argues that state intervention has been a fundamental tenet of the great transformation of societies and economies in the East and Southeast Asian countries. The paper takes several case studies in East and Southeast Asia in comparative perspective to show the similarities and differences of the development experiences in the region.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Context Setting: Asia Pacific in Global and Regional Perspectives
The East Asian Miracle in Theoretical Perspectives: Market-friendly and Developmental State Explanations
Relevant Themes on the East Asian Economic Miracle: Agricultural transformations in East Asia and the role of industrial policy in Asia Pacific
Agricultural Transformation in East Asian Countries
The State and Industrial Policy: Comparing East and Southeast Asia
Conclusions
Appendix
From the Paper "The Asia Pacific has been the most dynamic region in the world with countries sustaining growth rates from 3 - 7% for decades, reducing absolute and relative poverty, and undergoing structural changes in demographic, economic and political terms. While area specialists do not claim a single model to be followed by the developing world, it is worthy to study the common conditions, policy choices, and challenges that these countries have faced. The East Asian Miracle indeed challenges scholars and policy makers to think beyond the standard Western model of development based on blind liberalization, deregulation, and privatization. Bearing in mind the nuances and commonalities across the region, there are lessons to be drawn if only to better understand the trajectory the region is currently taking."
Abstract While the Canadian agriculture industry may not have the prominence of other sectors of the Canadian economy, such as the automotive or aerospace industries, it remains a significant element of both the Canadian domestic and export sectors. This essay demonstrates that this industry is a not only a major employer, but its health and expansion are critical elements in Canada's global economic position.
Abstract There are several areas of concern for agricultural economists, when they look towards the future. Some of these areas of interest are nutrition & health, the possibility of using food products for other uses than consumption and genetic adaptation of crops. However, three major interests of agricultural economists are the supply of food available, farm productivity and profits and agriculture production that will be friendly to the environment. This paper discusses these issues.
From the Paper "The first consideration in food security is the rising temperatures of the world. According to Lester Brown, the "16 warmest years since record-keeping began in 1880 have occurred since 1980. With the three warmest years on record-1998, 2001 and 2003-coming in the last five years, crops are facing unprecedented heat stress" (Brown 1). The heat stress on plants globally impacts evaporation and impedes fertilization, leading to production of fewer crops. Fewer crops will lead to increased prices in food, particularly for countries that import much of their food, principally grain."
Abstract This paper discusses the effect on agriculture on changes in fuel costs, the market economy, and technology. It notes how changes in the external environment have affected the way those in agriculture do business and so the prices charged at the market, adding to costs or reducing them, depending on the nature of the change and the way farmers are able to respond.
From the Paper "Agriculture is like any other sector of the economy and is affected by many of the same forces, including changes in fuel use and fuel prices, the market economy, and technology. The first of these forces is in the news now as agriculture has to raise its prices to cover higher fuel costs for farm machinery and for delivery costs. The nature of the economy affects agriculture by raising prices for other goods, which also can cause farmers to raise their prices to stay ahead of inflation. New technology can be both a capital expenditure to buy what is needed and a boon by increasing production and reducing costs over all. Such changes in the external environment have affected the way those in agriculture do business and so the prices charged at the market."
Abstract This paper includes four essays on economics: globalization of agriculture, food production and the logistics of distribution; globalization conflicts, economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa, and U.S. technological development. The paper discusses conflict issues as a result of globalization and the importance of resolving these issues.
From the Paper "The world has become an increasingly globalized community in which agriculture ,food production and the location and distribution of vital resources is a key concern ..."
Tags:Economics, Sub-Saharan Africa, globalization, agriculture, technology, biotechnology, new economy
This paper is a discussion of how and why economic growth was sparked in the Stone Age, specifically stating that climatic changes, geographic factors, and the growth of settlements with larger populations were the largest factors.
Abstract This paper discusses the economic growth that occurred during the Stone Age and aligns with Marshall Sahlins' view that the Stone Age was a society of affluence, stipulating that an affluent society is one in which material desires are easily fulfilled, as long as the needs of the people are few. The author argues that the primary factor in economic growth of the Stone Age was the climatic change that followed the end of the Ice Age. These climate changes caused food shortages, which in turn necessitated the development of tools for hunting. Later, in areas where geographic conditions were ideal, agriculture developed, which in turn spurred greater economic growth.
From the Paper "The Neolithic Age was preceded by the rise of agricultural activities in several Stone Age communities. In general, the Neolithic period is seen primarily as an economic phenomenon, and its essence is seen as consisting in the new phenomenon of agriculture (Thomas). Of course, this did vary from region to region. By 5000 BC, peasant communities existed in Palestine, Iraq and Iran, and soon thereafter they appeared in India, Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean (Hawkes and Woolley 8). On the other hand, in Europe hunting persisted for thousands of years, and change came much more slowly. Moreover, Thomas argues that the situation was quite different in southern Britain, and possibly also in other parts of Britain, and in Ireland. The point Thomas wishes to make is that 'the Neolithic in Britain was not characterized by a single economic system' (7)."
Tags: affluence, Ice Age, geographic location, food shortage, agriculture development
Abstract This paper examines the economic issues and instabilities of India due to the country's irrational economic policies, overwhelming military expenditures and its growing computer industry. It looks at how the scenery of Indian economy has been strongly characterized by state's interventions since the 1991 crisis and how, since then, India has hypothetically lived a dynamic and active process of liberalization of its own economy that consented the country, in the last few years, to delineate its enormous potentials. It shows how the traditional sectors of the economy are agricultural and manufacture and how the latter is favored by the numerous natural resources and by the low costs of labor.
From the Paper "Seventy percent of the Indians live in rural areas. When it is talked about cutting rural development and services, it means that most of the Indians will suffer. ?The finance minister failed to tax the rich and took the easy option of borrowing, raising that target by almost 40%?(Bidwai, 2). The outcome was a raise in the prices of wheat and rice distributed to the officially poor to cut the dept owed to the IMF. On the other side though, the finance minister, had cut taxes in export profits, and electronic equipments to the already thriving entertainment, and information technology industry. Not to mention the increase of military expenditures by 28.8 percent, exceeding the total expenditure on primary education, health care and social welfare. India, does not have a middle class; the new graduates start with salaries as high as $120,000 a year. Such income is spent in luxury goods, while it would be of great help in promoting some private investments for the well being of the rest of the population."
Abstract This paper examines how the concept of farming and agriculture first became an organized practice about 10,000 years ago. It looks at how the practice developed over time and how technological advancements of the past changed the face of agriculture altogether. The paper shows that previously farming was a one person operation, but how, through the development of certain tools, methods and ideas, the communal farming effort took hold.
From the Paper "What is technology, and how does agriculture fit in with the concept of technology? Technology as applied science and engineering clearly presents a relevant but limited view. It is, perhaps, a better definition of 'technique'. The notion that what designers do with technology is to simply apply scientific knowledge would be to misunderstand both what science and technology is. While the issue of science will be addressed below, suffice it to say that because design cannot be value free, neither can technology in the hands of a designer. Missing are the realm of consciousness and judgment; value and 'will' remain untouched. However, it takes a combination of will, curiosity, and perhaps just the ability to notice something another did not know in order to introduce a new type of technology into the world. This proves to be true of one of the greatest technological inventions of all time; agriculture. While who invented agriculture is a bit hazy, scientists do feel that women were the first to notice the natural process about 10,000 years ago. As soon as humans began to form permanent settlements and gave up wandering in search of food, agriculture was born."
Abstract The agricultural industry represents a significant fraction of the overall Canadian economy in terms of both employment and most economic measures. However, as this essay shows, this is a sector of the economy that feels under considerable pressure and is in need of government assistance. The paper also demonstrates that government assistance can be supported by the ideology of capitalism and, in particular, the type of capitalism known as mercantilism that advocates government assistance to business to compete more strongly in the international marketplace.
This paper reviews "Economic Issues Today" by Robert B. Carson, Wade Thomas and Jason Hecht, which examines four issues from the viewpoint of three differing paradigms: Conservative, Liberal and Radical.
1,110 words (approx. 4.4 pages), 0 sources, 2005, $ 38.95
Abstract This paper explains that the first two issues, in "Economic Issues Today" by Carson, Thomas and Hecht, are problems within the marketplace--American agriculture and consumer welfare; the format is similar in that it begins with an explanation of the problem, followed by a synopsis of the solution and then a complete breakdown of the solution by paradigm. The author points out that the third issue is dealing with externalities, asking the question of how society can save the environment: The conservatives argue for the "fair" method that incorporates a cost-benefit technique, the liberal argument is that the "free market" does not always "ensure society's well being" and the radical argument is that conventional market-directed and government-directed efforts are likely to be insufficient. The paper relates that the last issue is "Big Business" in which the definition of the problem relates to an explanation of the distinction between the competitive market structures of monopolistic competition, oligopoly and monopoly.
From the Paper "The introduction clearly and concisely explains alternative economic philosophies, beginning with a clarification of what happens "when economists disagree." It cites the example of George Soros, and acknowledges the economic debates of the Conservative, Liberal and Radical advocates. It also reminds the reader that alternative economic policies can become heated. The introduction then offers a general explanation of the role of ideology before the book then branches into specific dissections of the Conservative Paradigm, the Liberal Paradigm, and the Radical Paradigm, and uses examples of specific followers of each."
Abstract This paper discusses how these presidents had different approaches for bolstering the economy of the United States during the Great Depression. Their policies in the areas of business, labor, agriculture, banking, and relief for the unemployed are compared and contrasted. The effectiveness of these policies on the long-term American economy is also analyzed.
From the Paper "The Great Depression is generally thought to have started in 1929 and ended in 1941. The Depression brought massive unemployment, failed businesses and agriculture. During the Great Depression, as many as one in four Americans were unemployed.
"Herbert Hoover had the misfortune of being the President when the stock market crashed in 1929, and the Great Depression began. Franklin D. Roosevelt won over 57 percent of the popular vote, and defeated Hoover in the 1932 election."
