Introduction

Agricultural comparative advantage—a key pillar of free trade theory—often clashes with political reality. Legislators may support trade agreements despite evidence suggesting agriculture loses competitiveness internationally.

Data & Methods:

📊 Surveys, bills, interest group analyses used to gauge legislative sentiment and voting patterns across US agriculture policy over decades.

Key Findings:

• Legislators consistently favor agricultural protection even when it contradicts comparative advantage theory

• This bias holds despite clear economic evidence demonstrating farm inefficiencies in international markets

• Interest groups successfully mobilize opposition against trade-reducing policies targeting agriculture sectors

Policy Takeaway:

💡 Understanding this disconnect helps explain why US agriculture remains protected economically inefficient sectors.