Comparative Political Economy of Food

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

This panel features four papers that analyze the political economy of food policy in the contemporary era of globalized food systems. They all share a focus on understanding how domestic politics shape regulations on agricultural production and trade, drawing on a wide variety of markets, ranging from basic staples (potatoes in Peru, wheat in South Africa) to craft exports (mezcal in Mexico, wine and cheese in Europe). The researchers on this panel merge ethnographic methods, original surveys, and sectoral statistical data to elucidate the ideational components of food politics, helping construct a more sociological rich depiction of the political economy of food for the 21st century. Danielle Resnick of the International Food Policy Research Institute will act as discussant.

The most prominent theories of food politics from the 20th century (e.g. Bates’ Markets and States in Tropical Africa) employed a framework based on industrial efficiency. Agriculture is cast in one of two roles: as a provider of cheap food for the urban working class or as rent-seeking rural interests, seeking state protection and subsidy to sustain economically inefficient modes of production. The contemporary global economy, however, offers many examples of food products that resemble key planks in their countries’ economic models, sustaining livelihood for large segments of the population and contributing to local and national identities.

This more robust vision for the agricultural sector suggests several questions that the papers on this panel address: To what degree can theoretical frameworks derived in the context of other economic sectors—such as industrial policy or the natural resource curse—be applied to agricultural policy? On the one hand, we may speak of industrial policy—subsidies, extension services, regulation on competition—to support non-traditional and high-value agricultural production. On the other hand—given the close connection between agriculture, national identity, and security—food policy often takes on a logic that diverges from other economic sectors. Further important themes addressed include: the role of smallholder agriculture play in creating economic dynamism in rural areas and diverse policy approaches in middle-income versus rich countries.

Sub Unit

• Division 12: Comparative Politics of Developing Countries

Individual Presentations

• Reap What You Sow: Liberalization and Land Redistribution in South Africa - Alex Dyzenhaus, University of Cape Town

• Biodiversity, Identity and Global Agriculture: GMO Regulation in Mexico and Peru - David Greenwood-Sánchez, University of Iowa

• Industrial Policy in the Mexican Spirits Industry - Brian Palmer-Rubin, University of Southern California

• Too Important to Die, Too Small to Matter: Adaptation Strategies in Agriculture - Elizabeth Carter, University of New Hampshire

Chair

• Brian Palmer-Rubin University of Southern California

Discussant

• Danielle Elise Resnick International Food Policy Research Institute