ABSTRACT
The basic contention of our model is that policy makers view agricultural policy as a matter of quick extraction rather than as a problem of production in the longer run. The consequent short-run nature of the model will lead to an almost total disregard for incentive systems and the quality aspect of inputs. In addition, it has to be assumed that the g o v e r n m e n t - or as in our cases, the d e s p o t - h a s an overriding interest in maximizing the short-run flow of resources out of agriculture. In the case of Ptolemy it meant the accumulation of personal wealth, whereas Stalin's objective was to achieve a massive military bui ld-up. T h e Hai t ian case is an in termedia te o n e - motivated bo th by military concerns and by a perceived need to create i n c o m e s for an elite. In o r d e r to fulfil t hese object ives , t he m o d e l incorpora te s , in varying degrees , the th ree a b o v e - m e n t i o n e d cont ro l ingredients: control over the mam factors of production fin our cases land and labor), over surplus extraction, and over the producers as individuals.
