Preferences of citizens for agricultural policies: evidence from a national survey

• Published in: American journal of agricultural economics Vol. 72; no. 2; pp. 257 - 267
• Main Authors: Variyam, J.N. (Georgia Experiment Station, Griffin), Jordan, J.L, Epperson, J.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Menasha, Wis Oxford University Press 01-05-1990; American Agricultural Economics Association; American Farm Economic Association
• Subjects: Agricultural policy; Agriculture; Consumer spending; Correlations; ECONOMIA; ECONOMIE; ENCUESTAS; ENQUETE; ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA; ESTRUCTURA AGRICOLA; ETATS-UNIS; EXPLOITATION AGRICOLE FAMILIALE; EXPLOTACION AGRICOLA FAMILIAR; Family farms; Farms; INDICADORES ECONOMICOS; INDICATEUR ECONOMIQUE; linear structural relations; MODELE; MODELOS; Parametric models; POLITICA AGRICOLA; POLITIQUE AGRICOLE; Public opinion; RECURSOS; RESSOURCE; Self interest; self-interest theory; STRUCTURE AGRICOLE; United States environmental policy; Variable coefficients
• ISSN: 0002-9092; 1467-8276
• DOI: 10.2307/1242329

The increasing costs of agricultural programs is raising concern about the future direction of agricultural policies. Data from a nationwide survey on public attitudes toward agriculture are used to examine the structure of citizens' preferences for government involvement in agriculture and especially for policies to protect family farms. Estimates of the influence of economic and sociodemographic variables on policy preferences are computed using a multiple-indicator model. Signs and magnitudes of estimated coefficients lend support to the self-interest theory of voter behavior. Results question economic arguments suggesting altruistic motives as a cause of redistributionary agricultural policies.