Amber Waves of Grain: American Agriculture as a Strategic Resource in a Crowded World

摘要

This thesis deals optimistically with the topic of feeding the increasing world population. It first briefly reviews the literature, favorable and unfavorable, from early thoughts on the subject, past landmark books such as Robert Malthus' On Population and Dennis Meadows' The Limits to Growth to The Global 2000 Report to the President. In its analysis of the present situation, the paper revies historical data and current trends. In the area of population, the imaginative, if radical, policies being pursued in China are carefully examined. In agriculture, several developments in the United States are brought out. Finally, it analyzes the predominant position of the United States in the area of agriculture, relative to both the world in general, and the Soviet Union in particular. Weakenesses are noted and discussed, but the conclusion is drawn that beyond trade alone American agricultural superiority continues to offer important benefits and opportunities and, if handled carefully, may even have strategic implications. (Author)