Abstract

Changing perceptions in farming and food policy have partisan implications for American politics. The changing perceptions of farms, farmers, food, agriculture and environment, animal welfare, and food democracy have created liberal and conservative partisan positions in food policy. Political science theories of issue evolution, issue ownership, policy diffusion, and morality policy anticipate partisan sorting on food issues when certain conditions are met. This article will explain the politically meaningful perceptual changes in food politics from a conventional view to a progressive view. It will then examine the way four political science theories explain and predict these changes in the political identity of food.