Lesehinweis zu Liberalisierung der Weltlandwirtschaft? Theorien, Modelle und Realitäten von Boussard JM, Gérard F. und Piketty MG[Reading note on Liberalising world agriculture? Theories, models and realities by Boussard JM, Gérard F. and Piketty MG]

What can reasonably be expected from agricultural trade liberalisation? This question is back at the forefront of current events, as agriculture is one of the stumbling blocks in the current round of international negotiations within the World Trade Organisation. This book submits the concepts of neoclassical economic theory to a double critique. First, at the theoretical level. The liberalisation of trade in agricultural products does not necessarily lead to price stabilisation, they explain. Or to show, for example, the fragility of the assumption that farmers correctly anticipate the market equilibrium price. Based on the history of international trade in agriculture, the book then puts to the test the standard models now used in multilateral negotiations as decision-making tools. Far from being yet another monograph on a controversial subject, the authors gradually introduce the reader to modern economic concepts such as, for example, demand elasticity, risk aversion or rational expectations. This book brilliantly revisits the great authors of economic thought and highlights lesser known but essential contributions. With its eclectic approach and critical pedagogy, it is also a very stimulating introduction to economic modelling.