Abstract
In the field of international studies today, much attention is focused on the Middle East, including fossil fuels and the effects of the world’s dependence on them. Examples of some of the issues at hand include political and social unrest, corruption, war, environmental destruction and price fixing, to name a few. Due to increased information, people are realizing the connection between their daily use of and dependence on oil and the effects it can have in the world. However, slow, chronic global issues rarely make the headlines. Problems abound in other areas of the world’s political and economic realm that have just as negative effects, if not more, on people and the planet, yet these issues do not capture as much attention. As globalization becomes more deeply intertwined and the world’s human population grows exponentially to a near unsustainable level, US agriculture policies and their role in the world are beginning to catch attention of policy makers and the public. Unlike the negative consequences of petroleum use and trade in international affairs, the impacts from US trade in animal agriculture policies go hardly noticed. US animal agriculture policies have a very prolific and profound effect on people throughout the world, as well as the planet, therefore this subject warrants scrutiny and analysis. The information will be in the form of both qualitative and quantitative research, including a number of scientific research data reports on environmental and statistical health effects from the global livestock trade by the US. The conclusion will include an analysis of the shortfalls of protectionism and the economic theories that justify US livestock trade policies by reviewing the broad range of negative externalities that result, yet are ignored in theoretical realm. An addendum chapter will address the connection between violence and conflict within the context of animal food policies and provide suggestions for considerations currently absent from the economic theories examined in this research. Most significantly, this project will contribute to a greater awareness of the real, global implications from our daily eating habits by providing an inclusive analysis of livestock trade policies emanating from the US.