Open-Economy Politics: The Political Economy of the World Coffee Trade

by Robert H. Bates

Coffee is traded in one of the few international markets ever subject to effective political regulation. In Open-Economy Politics , Robert Bates explores the origins, the operations, and the collapse of the International Coffee Organization, an international "government of coffee" that was formed in the 1960s. In so doing, he addresses key issues in international political economy and comparative politics, and analyzes the creation of political institutions and their impact on markets. Drawing upon field work in East Africa, Colombia, and Brazil, Bates explores the domestic sources of international politics within a unique theoretical framework that blends game theoretic and more established approaches to the study of politics.


The book will appeal to those interested in international political economy, comparative politics, and the political economy of development, especially in Latin America and Africa, and to readers wanting to learn more about the economic and political realities that underlie the coffee market. It is also must reading for those interested in "the new institutionalism" and modern political economy.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published December 23, 1996

About the author

Robert Hinrichs Bates (born 1942) is an American political scientist. He is Eaton Professor of the Science of Government in the Departments of Government and African and African American Studies at Harvard University. From 2000-2012, he served as Professeur associe, School of Economics, University of Toulouse.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...

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Reviews

[Pang · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main theme of the book was to discuss why and how the International Coffee Organization was formed. What pushed for the formation, and who were the key players.

I thought the book was interesting, full with historical facts and figures. However, I find the book to be a bit repetitive in materials (not bad, though). Otherwise, pretty good read for someone who's interested in international political economy.