ABSTRACT
This chapter describes a kind of dual interpretation in study of the relevancy of US agricultural development to the conditions and problems of agriculture in the developing nations. It presents a brief history of US agriculture, with particular reference to nineteenth century developments, and explores for comparability and possible transferability, especially in matters of policy development and impact. The chapter examines an interpretation of US agriculture—that is, the exceptionalist interpretation. US agriculture is probably looked upon with some envy, because its high productivity is obvious and because it is said to have fostered the egalitarian values that are the basis for a democratic society. The chapter argues that myths of American agriculture continue to be valuable in terms of explaining some significant aspects of the American set of operative ideals. It concludes that there are "lessons" to be learned from American agriculture which could be of value to the developing nations, notwithstanding the "exceptionalist" quality of the American experience.
