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Democracy, Trade Openness, and Agricultural Trade Policy in Southeast Asian Countries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2014

THANAPAN LAIPRAKOBSUP
THANAPAN LAIPRAKOBSUP*
Affiliation:
National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Bangkok, Thailandtlaiprakobsup@hotmail.com
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Abstract

This paper examines the relation between trade, political openness, and agricultural trade policy in developing countries. It argues that trade openness and democracy contribute to lower taxes and control programs in the agricultural sectors. Examining the politics of agricultural trade policy in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, it was found that trade expansion and democratic regimes lead to fewer taxes and control programs imposed on agriculture. The results indicate that elected governments in industrializing countries are less likely to impose more tax and control programs on agriculture in order to encourage exports and in order to appeal to farmers, who are a major voting bloc in these countries.

Type
Research Article
Information
Japanese Journal of Political Science , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , September 2014 , pp. 465 - 484
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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