The newly independent states of the post-war period faced difficulties in increasing their agricultural productivity, the necessary key to encouraging economic growth. Agrarian reform expands food supplies to support rising levels of living and increases the income of the rural population creating a consumer market for industrial goods and an expanded tax base for the government. The Philippines experienced a close relationship with the United States, but their rural population was resistant to change. In 1950, the U.S. agreed to help the Philippines grow their economy, but the way in which to attack economic problems needed to be thoroughly analyzed.
This report examines the ways in which America has tried to stimulate agrarian reform in the Philippines. It also discusses the agrarian problems on the state and suggests future political action by the U.S. to aid in solutions.
“The United States thus for the first time explicitly attached strings of social reform to its economic assistance to a developing country.” (p 16)
This report was released to the Nautilus Institute under the US Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).