The Political Economy of Agricultural Booms

This book offers an in-depth analysis of the political economy of soybean production in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, by identifying the dominant private and public actors and control mechanisms that have given rise to a corporate-driven, vertically integrated system of regionalized agricultural production in the Southern Cone of South America. The current agricultural boom surrounding soybean production has been aided by aggressive new agro-technologies, including biotechnology, leading to massive organizational changes in the agricultural sector and a significant rise in the power of special interest groups and corporations. Despite having similar initial production conditions, the pattern of economic activity surrounding soybean production in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, continues to be largely determined by the needs of the multinational corporations involved, rather than national considerations of comparative advantage. The author uses these findings to argue that the new international model of agricultural production empowers chemical and trading multinational companies over national governments.

Provides an in-depth analysis of the fastest growing agricultural markets and the unique crop that is fueling their growth soybeans Examines a new vector of international relations: natural resources, of rapidly growing importance for political stability and geopolitical clout Analyzes the link between sudden agricultural booms and the problematic rise and empowerment of special interest groups and multinational companies that come to dominate decision-making and priority setting at the cost of national agendas Gives unique insight into some of the technological developments that have led to the creation of a new international model of agricultural production and some of its drawbacks

Autorentext
Mariano Turzi is Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Torcuato Di Tella University, Argentina. He has written on the international political economy of natural resources, introducing the Soybean Republic (Yale Journal of International Affairs) and the Soybean OPEC (Current History).

Klappentext
This book offers an in-depth analysis of the international political economy of soybean production in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, by identifying the dominant private and public actors and control mechanisms that have given rise to a corporate-driven, vertically integrated system of regionalized agricultural production in the Southern Cone of South America. The current agricultural boom surrounding soybean production has been aided by cutting edge technologies, including biotechnology, leading to massive organizational changes in the agricultural sector and a significant rise in the power of special interest groups and corporations. The new international model of agricultural production empowers chemical and trading multinational companies over national governments and local producers. The author identifies the different social and political conflicts in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay; comparing and contrasting political economy structures and policymaking, regulatory and institutional environments.
Mariano Turzi is Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Torcuato Di Tella University, Argentina. He has written on the international political economy of natural resources, introducing the Soybean Republic (Yale Journal of International Affairs) and the Soybean OPEC (Current History).

Inhalt

1. The International Political Economy of Agriculture .- 2. A Super-Seeding Business .- 3. Global Trading .- 4. Coordination: Brazil .- 5. Colonization: Paraguay .- 6. Confrontation (And Beyond): Argentina.