Governance and government as key factors for agriculture and rural policies

This essay focuses on the key dynamics related to agricultural policy change through an eclectic framework based on the interaction of neo-institutionalist and policy-based theoretical and analytical approaches. The latter hugely contribute to improve our understanding of complex phenomena that have had an impact on agricultural policy. Key aspects of this policy domain are analyzed: 1) the in-depth institutionalization of agricultural policy; 2) the key role of institutions in `filtering' policy change determinants; 3) the timing and modes of policy adaptation to the pressures from the market; 4) the outcome of policy change dynamics that are peculiar in each country and policy sub-fields. In particular, the article sheds light on the ongoing redefinition of the boundaries of agricultural policy and on its interaction with other policy sectors. The two concepts of government and governance prove useful to clearly understand the policy change dynamics in this domain. Reprinted by permission of Il Mulino