The U.S.-U.S.S.R. Grain Agreement

This study of the 1975 US-USSR Grain Agreement negotiations illuminates the parameters and constraints faced by policy makers in a democratic, pluralistic political system.

Roger B. Porter (Author)

9780521070249, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 July 2008

180 pages
23.4 x 15.6 x 1 cm, 0.26 kg

This study of the 1975 US-USSR Grain Agreement negotiations illuminates the parameters and constraints faced by policy makers in a democratic, pluralistic political system. The author investigates the interaction between the formulation and implementation of a policy, suggesting that who is seen as responsible for a policy is often as important as its content. He also shows how the pluralistic nature of the American polity can enable well-organized constituencies to pressure policy makers successfully for precise commitments regarding their future actions, and how this can actually limit the extent of governmental leverage in negotiations.

1. Introduction
2. U.S. - Soviet grain trade before 1974
3. The 1974 experience
4. The Russians return
5. First steps
6. A strategy emerges
7. Agreement to seek a long-term arrangement
8. Refining the details
9. Ebbing leverage: the waiting game
10. Evaluations
11. Reflections
Epilogue.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP]