FACT CHECK #UPBOC7L1

EXHIBIT A

WHAT WE FOUND

Agricultural subsidies are widely recognized as attractive political instruments because they affect significant portions of the electorate 4. Research indicates that politicians use these payments to influence electoral participation and secure support from farming vote banks in many countries 110. This is often explained by the political economy of subsidies: the benefits are concentrated among a small, highly motivated group of producers, while the costs are spread thinly across a large, less-attentive population of taxpayers and consumers 8. Some analyses suggest these programs are driven more by lobbying and regional interests than by broad voter preference 39. However, the claim that these are provided rather than for national food needs is complicated by official policy objectives. Historically, the original intent of such programs, particularly in the U.S., was to ensure a steady domestic food supply and provide economic stability 11. Many governments still view agriculture as a strategic sector, using subsidies to promote national self-sufficiency and food security 10. Additionally, subsidies are used for non-electoral goals such as environmental protection and addressing equity between small and large farms 10. While critics argue that subsidies can actually lead to higher food prices and fail to promote rural growth 712, the dual motivations of political gain and national food security remain deeply intertwined in policy design 34.

SOURCES

1. 1 · gsb.stanford.eduACADEMIC
   The Federal Government Pays Farmers. That Doesn’t Mean Farmers Are Fans. | Stanford Graduate School of Business

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2. 2 · nal.usda.govACADEMIC
   Agricultural Subsidies | National Agricultural Library

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3. 3 · cambridge.orgACADEMIC
   Does Receiving Government Assistance Shape Political Attitudes? Evidence from Agricultural Producers | American Political Science Review | Cambridge Core

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4. 4 · elibrary.imf.orgACADEMIC
   Agricultural Producer Subsidies: Navigating Challenges and Policy Considerations in: IMF Notes Volume 2024 Issue 002 (2024)

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5. 5 · brookings.eduACADEMIC
   The political economy of reforming costly agricultural policies | Brookings

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6. 6 · hinrichfoundation.comACADEMIC
   Agricultural subsidies: Everyone's doing it | Hinrich Foundation

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7. 7 · en.wikipedia.orgWEB
   Agricultural subsidy - Wikipedia

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8. 8 · econlib.orgWEB
   Agricultural Subsidy Programs - Econlib

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9. 9 · politics.stackexchange.comWEB
   economy - Why do farms need subsidies? - Politics Stack Exchange

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10. 10 · fortuneiascircle.comWEB
    Farm subsidies

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11. 11 · thoughtco.comWEB
    Are U.S. Farm Subsidies Corporate Welfare or National Necessities?

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12. 12 · heritage.orgWEB
    How Farm Subsidies Harm Taxpayers, Consumers, and Farmers, Too | The Heritage Foundation

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THE READING