Provides a refreshingly irreverent and insightful view of US farm programmes, clearly separating political rhetoric from economic reality. Analysing the effect of price supports, marketing orders, credit and export subsidies, and other programmes, Pasour shows how they especially hurt the small farmer and victimise the public at large. This comprehensive book exposes current farm policies as responsible for the high and rising cost of food, the decline of America’s competitiveness in the world, and the widening destruction of the environment. Agriculture and the State sets forth how only through abolishing the gravy train of farm subsides and other special privileges will the American consumer find relief and agriculture in the US achieve significant economic progress.