ABSTRACT
Since 1945 the United States has played a pivotal role in launching three international food institutions as well as in developing and spreading new agricultural technology, thanks to its predominance in world food trade and agricultural research. The U.S. role in international food and agricultural organizations, therefore, ought to be one of leadership and influence. Because of the significant stakes it holds, the United States also should be vulnerable to IGO influence in this issue area. Although its share of world grain trade topped 50 percent in the 1970s, surprisingly U.S. leadership in food organizations has declined since roughly the time of the 1974 World Food Conference, and the relevance of these bodies for either assisting or disciplining U.S. policy has shrunk. Instead, relations with the major world intergovernmental food organizations have become increasingly incoherent and inefficient.
