And now for something rather different

[rogerashton]

1. The agricultural extension service

is a little-known but powerful asset of the American economy. Government action in the market economy at something close to its best.

The Netherlands -- which, despite its dense population, is an important producer and exporter of agricultural products -- formerly had an excellent agricultural extension service. Then, 30 years ago, in the grip of "neoliberal" politics, they privatized it! It failed, of course. (So I was told on a visit to the Netherlands Cow College, anyway.)