Abstract
This paper explains that, although the United States provides proportionally less support for its farmers overall than the E.U., it is the second largest supporter of agriculture in the developed world; some commodities, such as sugar, have overall support at E.U. levels. The author points out that evidence suggests that the current U.S. barriers hit the very poorest countries hardest. The paper relates that direct support given to U.S. farmers and the presence of significant trade barriers for certain products means that the United States agricultural production is higher than it would be otherwise, which lowers world prices; moreover, U.S. direct export subsidies, export credits and food aid are likely to have a further depressing effect on world prices.

From the Paper
"This evidence also suggests that the United States Generalized System of Preferences, U.S. GSP, program is not particularly generous with respect to agricultural products, a point supported by some WTO calculations. The estimated gap between the average agricultural tariff faced by middle-income countries, who will largely have GSP terms, and OECD ones, who will mainly face MFN rates, in the United States is only 1.5 percent. A wide range of agricultural products are indeed excluded from coverage under the U.S. GDP, and even the U.S. Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, excludes many significant agricultural products."

Tags:third-world, wto, eu, barriers, prices

Abstract
This paper looks at the focus, impact and consequences of U.S. farm policies. In particular, it examines the 1996 Farm Bill, policy changes instituted in 1985, and the 2002 Farm Act. The paper concludes with an analysis of the consequences, whether positive or negative, of the Freedom to Farm Act.

From the Paper
"The United States has always supported its farmers through a number of different policies. This policy has included programs designed to distribute the nation's land in an equitable fashion, increase productivity, raising the standard of living of American farmers and helping them to market their products (Westcott and Price, 2001). US farm policy since the 1930s focused on price and income supports. Until the introduction of the 1996 Farm Bill, the price support system relied on a series of acreage limits and storage programs (Westcott and Price, 2001)."

Tags:american, small, large, farmers, farm, industry, products, subsidy, programs, crop, prices

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that agricultural subsidies are governmental funds paid to farmers, including large agribusiness operations, as supplementary income, to manage the supply of particular agricultural commodities, and to influence these commodities' prices in domestic and foreign markets. This paper studies the American agriculture policy, its reasons, results and how it might be changed.

From the Paper
"The first questions one has to answer in looking at the effects of agricultural subsidies are: What are agricultural subsidies? Why did they start to be paid? Why are they continued? Agricultural subsidies are governmental funds paid to farmers, including large agribusiness operations, as supplementary income, to manage the ..."

Tags:agriculture, subsidies, policy

Abstract
A reaction to the Hosansky article on Farm Subsidies in the "CQ Researcher" which discusses the Farm Bill implemented by President Bush on May 13 2002. The author illustrates how although the report contained sufficient information on the issue, it had an inward-looking bias and did not adequately emphasize the global impact of the U.S. Farm Bill. Furthermore the report is said to lack an international perspective of the issue and does not take a clear-cut stand on the merits or demerits of Farm Subsidies.

From the Paper
"The signing into law of the US Farm Bill in May 2002 has serious and profound international implications. These effects have only been mentioned in passing by the author and have not been analyzed or explained in sufficient depth. For example, the subsidies that have been built into the Bill (a massive 70% hike over the current levels) would result in overproduction of such food products as corn, wheat, cotton, rice and soybeans. This would drive down the market prices of these commodities and create huge surpluses in the United States. These products would then be exported to the poor countries of the world where the farmers cannot possibly compete with such low prices."

Tags:bill, U.S., researcher, CQ, poor, hosansky, global, farmer

Abstract
This paper argues that in view of the fact that most farm subsidies from the US government go to large agricultural corporations, the money would better be used to clean up the environment.

From the Paper
"Agricultural subsidies are financial assistance to farmers through government-sponsored price-support programs. Trade protection through tariffs imposed by governments on specific commodities to ensure that domestic producer prices exceed international prices, market price support and general support not linked to production, research training, marketing support and infrastructure, are other ways in which nations protect their agricultural sector."

Tags:agriculture, environment, farm subsidies, agribusiness

Abstract
Discusses the effect of advanced technologies and the increased federal role in farming, as well as government farm subsidies programs and the acreage reduction program.

From the Paper
"In the last thirty years, total farm production in the United States has increased by eighty percent while at the same time this abundance has required less labor, capital, and physical resources to implement. This increase in farm production has been ..."

Abstract
The paper discusses the conflict that has been brewing between the United States and Iran, which has revolved ostensibly around Iran's possible violations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The paper shows that the conflict between Iran and the U.S. has been evident in the international policies of both nations. Iran has engaged in a series of political and economic actions that are directed squarely at undermining the U.S.'s international authority. The U.S., in turn, has tried to rally international support, largely through the United Nations Security Council, to control Iran's actions.

Tags:iran, u.s., nuclear

Abstract
This well-researched paper explores the term democracy, while focusing on the general makeup of the U.S. government. The writer contends that democracy is a government by the people, for the people, run directly by them or through their duly elected representatives. This paper details the history of the American voting system, which is a key activity of a modern democracy. The writer of this paper discusses and cites various portions of the the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, which establishes the legislative branch of the government. This paper examines the historic events that led to the 1776 War of Independence between America and Britain. This paper briefly discusses the current political climate in America, while also supplying a brief overview of the democratic and republican platforms.

From the Paper
"The downward trend of less party affiliation and less party voting proceeded from the simple argument that one did not need to be a Republican or a Democrat to pave a road. Those who favor nonpartisan elections claim that the job of a member of the city council is not to debate on national issues but to maintain the neighborhood part, keep it clean and fix occasional potholes and these functions do not need partisan solutions. Nonpartisan election was a reform introduced by the Progressive Party at the turn of the 20th century. The Progressive Party wanted city governments to respond more to community needs and less to self-interested party manipulation. Non-partisan elections would remove party influence from the race; allow candidates who do not need to adjust their ideas to the approval of parties to run; and compel voters to search out more information on a candidate. Advocates say that a more active and informed citizenry would increase voter turnout."

Tags:congress, voting, senate, u.s., american, government, election, history, adminstration, presidency, political

Abstract
This paper explores the growing cocaine and marijuana market in Latin American countries and the lack of local resources available to prevent this valuable and profitable industry from expanding even more. The writer of this paper details the U.S. military's role in aiding these countries, as well as the cost to the American people, while pondering if the American military should even be involved in drug related issues outside the U.S. The cost for the military intervention in the war on drugs continues to rise and has created entirely new perceptions about money and the military both within and outside the U.S. This paper discusses the military involvement in the war on drugs and cites the leading recipients of aid, military equipment, training and personnel. This paper also delves into a program, involving military participation, which was recently introduced in Congress, called the Western Hemisphere Drug Elimination Act. This act would authorized $2.3 billion over three years for military hardware, personnel, training and a small amount for alternative crop development in various Latin American countries.

From the Paper
"Even though the House and various representatives have called on military action, the Pentagon was reluctant- albeit, it finally was dragged into it. Even though the Pentagon budget continues to grow, year after year, there are still concerns that legislators who dole out the tens of millions of dollars are underestimating the total cost. In a recent report to the House and Senate armed services committees, the Department of Defense estimated that "24-hour surveillance of the U.S. 'southern fence', the border from Jacksonville, Florida, to San Diego, full interdiction capability, and C13 programs, would cost between $480.4 million and $760.5 million annually, depending on the equipment mix ." All this money without a single soldier leaving the continental U.S.- even though advisers may now be operating in the various targeted Latin American countries. All that has been publicized, and strongly so, are planes and equipment, everything from helicopters to flame throwers which are supposed to be used by the local troops."

Tags:drugs, congress, government, military, american, u.s., columbia, financial, aid, cocaine, marijuana, narcotics

Abstract
This paper explains that the trend toward regional economic integration has produced organizations, such as the EU, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, serving the interests of many smaller nations by allowing them to attain more power in their foreign policy by acting collectively within; however, the key factor among all of the organizations, with the exception of NAFTA ,is that the member nations have comparatively similar economies in terms of GDP per capita, manufacturing sectors, and agriculture. The author points out that, surprisingly, the U.S. has done little to expand its trade relations with the other Western Hemisphere countries; however, the negotiations for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the subsequent establishment of a common market in the Western Hemisphere, which be the largest trade group in the world, is one of the most prudent mechanisms for the U.S. to strengthen relations with key allies and propagate its global economic preeminence. The paper relates that the most significant objection, especially by Brazil, involves the agricultural subsidies given to US farmers, which will skew market costs and competition between U.S. and Brazilian farm products.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Free Trade Area of the Americas
Strategy for the Resolution of Disagreements over the FTAA
Geo-Strategic Implications of the FTAA
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In order to revive FTAA talks and lead to a finalization of the agreement, three major areas require important changes: the administrations of the involved nations, the resolution of differences halting negotiations and a concerted effort to curb domestic political resistance to the FTAA. First, recent history has shown that the current administrations in many of the countries involved in the FTAA are unwilling to compromise on conflicting goals. While the Bush administration has made expanding free trade a high priority, its tenuous relations with the Chavez regime will continue to lead to subsequent Venezuelan actions to undermine US efforts. The forthcoming US presidential elections in 2008 or a resolution of the electoral controversy surrounding Chavez could bring a change in circumstances in this arena."

Tags:agricultural, brazil, cuba, venezuela, differences, geo-strategic