Comparative agricultural policy - problems and experience in teaching and research
1981
Bergmann, T. (Hohenheim Univ., Stuttgart/Hohenheim (Germany, F.R.))
The first part deals with the self perception of this new scientific discipline, situated between rural sociology, political economy, political science and development policy. The ideological position of the researcher is very influential, though the problem of value judgments is faced by all disciplines. The author feels obliged to confess his own position as critical Marxist. The reproach of ethnocentrism is countered with the argument of crossnational similarity of interests between the oppressed and exploited on the one hand and the exploiters on the other hand. But the researcher is warned against the influence of commercial and industrial lobbies on his development advice. In the second part selected issues of the discipline are discussed: the general orientation of agricultural policy, the role of institutional reform and technical promotion, population growth in its relation with development, choice of technology, the demands on development aid, the role of agrarian movements and finally a few specific questions of farming in the planned economy of socialist countries.
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