Adam Sheingate is an assistant professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University, and the author of a book that examines the development of farm policy in the United States, France and Japan, including farm subsidies.

The Rise of the Agricultural Welfare State traces the development of government support of agriculture in the United States, beginning in 1862 with the establishment of the Department of Agriculture during the Civil War, through the 1930s, when subsidies for struggling farmers were begun, through the 1980s and 1990s.

Sheingate contrasts U.S. farmers with those in Japan and France, and made some interesting discoveries along the way. For instance, although many perceive U.S. farmers to be a powerful lobby for their interests, and they are, the farm lobbies in France and Japan are actually much stronger. Part of the reason is that the U.S. system allows not only farmers to lobby Congress, but many other interest groups, such as environmentalists; whereas in Japan and France, it's much harder for outsiders to weigh in, he said.

Recently, Sheingate sat down for an interview about his book. An edited version of that conversation can be heard by clicking on the link below.

Listen to Adam Sheingate. (You will need a RealPlayer to listen to this. Real Networks offers a free version of their player, if your computer doesn't have it. Newer computers come bundled with this players, but those with older computers may need to download the player.)

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