Title: Return to mercantilism: farm subsidies and the WTO order

Authors: Andrew E. Brashier

Addresses: Beasley Allen, 218 Commerce Street, Montgomery, AL, USA

Abstract: The US Congress is currently debating the replacement of the 2008 Farm Bill. Billions of taxpayers| dollars are currently spent on corporate |agribusiness| farms to the harm of third-world farmers and true free trade. This policy of protectionism wreaks havoc on the international economy and should be ended. Farm subsidies serve to only benefit corporate welfare and hurt the small farmers politicians claim to want to protect. Furthermore, the WTO|s current dispute resolution mechanism only serves to return the global economy to mercantilism rather than free trade. Since an instant termination of farm subsidies is impracticable, a gradual reduction is recommended.

Keywords: World Trade Organization; WTO; international trade; farm subsidies; USA; farms; farming; congressional bills; legislation; upland cotton; free trade; protectionism; mercantilism; farm subsidies; United States Congress; agribusiness; third-world; farmers; international economy; corporate welfare; dispute resolution; global economy; subsidy reduction; litigation; Brazil; international agreements; agriculture; Doha Development Round; Doha Development Agenda; trade negotiations; public law; public policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLAP.2011.043853

International Journal of Public Law and Policy, 2011 Vol.1 No.3, pp.231 - 244

Published online: 31 Mar 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article