Does the US government have any planning in place to ensure there's no shortages of food, fuel, steel and...












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Every time we go shopping store shelves are full of food, gas stations are stocked up on gas, car dealerships have no shortage of cars, etc. But who is ensuring that all of the complex processes required to maintain this state of affairs go smoothly? Is it just the free market doing its thing without any coordination? Or is there an office somewhere in DC where a big committee draws up a plan to ensure that no shortages take place in the foreseeable future?










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    Every time we go shopping store shelves are full of food, gas stations are stocked up on gas, car dealerships have no shortage of cars, etc. But who is ensuring that all of the complex processes required to maintain this state of affairs go smoothly? Is it just the free market doing its thing without any coordination? Or is there an office somewhere in DC where a big committee draws up a plan to ensure that no shortages take place in the foreseeable future?










    share|improve this question



























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      Every time we go shopping store shelves are full of food, gas stations are stocked up on gas, car dealerships have no shortage of cars, etc. But who is ensuring that all of the complex processes required to maintain this state of affairs go smoothly? Is it just the free market doing its thing without any coordination? Or is there an office somewhere in DC where a big committee draws up a plan to ensure that no shortages take place in the foreseeable future?










      share|improve this question
















      Every time we go shopping store shelves are full of food, gas stations are stocked up on gas, car dealerships have no shortage of cars, etc. But who is ensuring that all of the complex processes required to maintain this state of affairs go smoothly? Is it just the free market doing its thing without any coordination? Or is there an office somewhere in DC where a big committee draws up a plan to ensure that no shortages take place in the foreseeable future?







      united-states economy policy






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      edited 3 hours ago









      JJJ

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      asked 7 hours ago









      JonathanReezJonathanReez

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          2 Answers
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          6














          Although the United States generally avoids economic planning (and even industrial policy), this is not to say the government leaves everything to the market. I don't have much expertise on this topic so I'm sure the following list will be incomplete. But here are some examples of ways that the federal government intervenes to ensure the continued availability of basic consumer products.




          • Fuel and energy: 1) The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency supply of crude oil maintained by the federal government. This system was created as a response to shortages in the 1970s. It currently has about 30 days supply. 2) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the development of energy transmission infrastructure like pipelines and the electrical grid.


          • Food: 1) The United States government has intermittently held strategic grain reserves. However since the 1970s at least, these seem to have been for foreign aid, not domestic consumption. 2) The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service closely monitors the national food supply month by month. 3) Other parts of the USDA provide subsidies, technical assistance, and other forms of support to farmers which help ensure an adequate food supply.


          • General: The Federal Reserve tracks things like price inflation for durable goods, which may influence monetary policy and other measures.



          Finally I will note that during the Great Depression and especially during the two World Wars, federal intervention in the markets for basic commodities was far more active. See for example the War Production Board.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Despite food reserves are "for foreign aid, not domestic consumption" I would bet that in case of a huge catastrophe, they will be used for domestic consumption.

            – vsz
            58 mins ago



















          0














          U.S.-Iran Oil Consortium




          In August 1953, the Iranian military, with the help of British and U.S. intelligence agencies, overthrows Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq—who nationalized the country's oil industry two years earlier. The U.S. government works with U.S. oil majors and the Iranian government—now run by the Shah—to bring Iranian oil back online following a British embargo of oil shipments. Iran's oil remains nationalized, but in October 1954 the government agrees to a consortium of mainly U.S. companies to manage Iran's oil industry.




          Suez Canal Crisis




          In a 1957 speech to Congress, Eisenhower says the Middle East would be a prize for international communism and asks Congress to provide economic and military support for any nation or groups of nations in the region with "governments manifestly dedicated to the preservation of independence and resistance to subversion."




          Iran-Iraq War




          The Reagan administration issues a national security directive in 1983 to increase the U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf to help protect the oil facilities and shipments to allies. The war lasts eight years.




          https://www.cfr.org/timeline/oil-dependence-and-us-foreign-policy



          Carter Doctrine




          The Carter Doctrine was a policy proclaimed by President of the United States Jimmy Carter in his State of the Union Address on January 23, 1980, which stated that the United States would use military force, if necessary, to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf.




          There are other examples at the first link, and that's just oil. The US has hundreds of military bases around the world to control strategic minerals and other commodities.






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          • This does not answer the question.

            – Stephen
            47 mins ago











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          2 Answers
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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

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          6














          Although the United States generally avoids economic planning (and even industrial policy), this is not to say the government leaves everything to the market. I don't have much expertise on this topic so I'm sure the following list will be incomplete. But here are some examples of ways that the federal government intervenes to ensure the continued availability of basic consumer products.




          • Fuel and energy: 1) The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency supply of crude oil maintained by the federal government. This system was created as a response to shortages in the 1970s. It currently has about 30 days supply. 2) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the development of energy transmission infrastructure like pipelines and the electrical grid.


          • Food: 1) The United States government has intermittently held strategic grain reserves. However since the 1970s at least, these seem to have been for foreign aid, not domestic consumption. 2) The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service closely monitors the national food supply month by month. 3) Other parts of the USDA provide subsidies, technical assistance, and other forms of support to farmers which help ensure an adequate food supply.


          • General: The Federal Reserve tracks things like price inflation for durable goods, which may influence monetary policy and other measures.



          Finally I will note that during the Great Depression and especially during the two World Wars, federal intervention in the markets for basic commodities was far more active. See for example the War Production Board.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Despite food reserves are "for foreign aid, not domestic consumption" I would bet that in case of a huge catastrophe, they will be used for domestic consumption.

            – vsz
            58 mins ago
















          6














          Although the United States generally avoids economic planning (and even industrial policy), this is not to say the government leaves everything to the market. I don't have much expertise on this topic so I'm sure the following list will be incomplete. But here are some examples of ways that the federal government intervenes to ensure the continued availability of basic consumer products.




          • Fuel and energy: 1) The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency supply of crude oil maintained by the federal government. This system was created as a response to shortages in the 1970s. It currently has about 30 days supply. 2) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the development of energy transmission infrastructure like pipelines and the electrical grid.


          • Food: 1) The United States government has intermittently held strategic grain reserves. However since the 1970s at least, these seem to have been for foreign aid, not domestic consumption. 2) The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service closely monitors the national food supply month by month. 3) Other parts of the USDA provide subsidies, technical assistance, and other forms of support to farmers which help ensure an adequate food supply.


          • General: The Federal Reserve tracks things like price inflation for durable goods, which may influence monetary policy and other measures.



          Finally I will note that during the Great Depression and especially during the two World Wars, federal intervention in the markets for basic commodities was far more active. See for example the War Production Board.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Despite food reserves are "for foreign aid, not domestic consumption" I would bet that in case of a huge catastrophe, they will be used for domestic consumption.

            – vsz
            58 mins ago














          6












          6








          6







          Although the United States generally avoids economic planning (and even industrial policy), this is not to say the government leaves everything to the market. I don't have much expertise on this topic so I'm sure the following list will be incomplete. But here are some examples of ways that the federal government intervenes to ensure the continued availability of basic consumer products.




          • Fuel and energy: 1) The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency supply of crude oil maintained by the federal government. This system was created as a response to shortages in the 1970s. It currently has about 30 days supply. 2) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the development of energy transmission infrastructure like pipelines and the electrical grid.


          • Food: 1) The United States government has intermittently held strategic grain reserves. However since the 1970s at least, these seem to have been for foreign aid, not domestic consumption. 2) The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service closely monitors the national food supply month by month. 3) Other parts of the USDA provide subsidies, technical assistance, and other forms of support to farmers which help ensure an adequate food supply.


          • General: The Federal Reserve tracks things like price inflation for durable goods, which may influence monetary policy and other measures.



          Finally I will note that during the Great Depression and especially during the two World Wars, federal intervention in the markets for basic commodities was far more active. See for example the War Production Board.






          share|improve this answer















          Although the United States generally avoids economic planning (and even industrial policy), this is not to say the government leaves everything to the market. I don't have much expertise on this topic so I'm sure the following list will be incomplete. But here are some examples of ways that the federal government intervenes to ensure the continued availability of basic consumer products.




          • Fuel and energy: 1) The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an emergency supply of crude oil maintained by the federal government. This system was created as a response to shortages in the 1970s. It currently has about 30 days supply. 2) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission oversees the development of energy transmission infrastructure like pipelines and the electrical grid.


          • Food: 1) The United States government has intermittently held strategic grain reserves. However since the 1970s at least, these seem to have been for foreign aid, not domestic consumption. 2) The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service closely monitors the national food supply month by month. 3) Other parts of the USDA provide subsidies, technical assistance, and other forms of support to farmers which help ensure an adequate food supply.


          • General: The Federal Reserve tracks things like price inflation for durable goods, which may influence monetary policy and other measures.



          Finally I will note that during the Great Depression and especially during the two World Wars, federal intervention in the markets for basic commodities was far more active. See for example the War Production Board.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 4 hours ago









          Brythan

          68.3k8142233




          68.3k8142233










          answered 6 hours ago









          Brian ZBrian Z

          2,473615




          2,473615













          • Despite food reserves are "for foreign aid, not domestic consumption" I would bet that in case of a huge catastrophe, they will be used for domestic consumption.

            – vsz
            58 mins ago



















          • Despite food reserves are "for foreign aid, not domestic consumption" I would bet that in case of a huge catastrophe, they will be used for domestic consumption.

            – vsz
            58 mins ago

















          Despite food reserves are "for foreign aid, not domestic consumption" I would bet that in case of a huge catastrophe, they will be used for domestic consumption.

          – vsz
          58 mins ago





          Despite food reserves are "for foreign aid, not domestic consumption" I would bet that in case of a huge catastrophe, they will be used for domestic consumption.

          – vsz
          58 mins ago











          0














          U.S.-Iran Oil Consortium




          In August 1953, the Iranian military, with the help of British and U.S. intelligence agencies, overthrows Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq—who nationalized the country's oil industry two years earlier. The U.S. government works with U.S. oil majors and the Iranian government—now run by the Shah—to bring Iranian oil back online following a British embargo of oil shipments. Iran's oil remains nationalized, but in October 1954 the government agrees to a consortium of mainly U.S. companies to manage Iran's oil industry.




          Suez Canal Crisis




          In a 1957 speech to Congress, Eisenhower says the Middle East would be a prize for international communism and asks Congress to provide economic and military support for any nation or groups of nations in the region with "governments manifestly dedicated to the preservation of independence and resistance to subversion."




          Iran-Iraq War




          The Reagan administration issues a national security directive in 1983 to increase the U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf to help protect the oil facilities and shipments to allies. The war lasts eight years.




          https://www.cfr.org/timeline/oil-dependence-and-us-foreign-policy



          Carter Doctrine




          The Carter Doctrine was a policy proclaimed by President of the United States Jimmy Carter in his State of the Union Address on January 23, 1980, which stated that the United States would use military force, if necessary, to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf.




          There are other examples at the first link, and that's just oil. The US has hundreds of military bases around the world to control strategic minerals and other commodities.






          share|improve this answer
























          • This does not answer the question.

            – Stephen
            47 mins ago
















          0














          U.S.-Iran Oil Consortium




          In August 1953, the Iranian military, with the help of British and U.S. intelligence agencies, overthrows Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq—who nationalized the country's oil industry two years earlier. The U.S. government works with U.S. oil majors and the Iranian government—now run by the Shah—to bring Iranian oil back online following a British embargo of oil shipments. Iran's oil remains nationalized, but in October 1954 the government agrees to a consortium of mainly U.S. companies to manage Iran's oil industry.




          Suez Canal Crisis




          In a 1957 speech to Congress, Eisenhower says the Middle East would be a prize for international communism and asks Congress to provide economic and military support for any nation or groups of nations in the region with "governments manifestly dedicated to the preservation of independence and resistance to subversion."




          Iran-Iraq War




          The Reagan administration issues a national security directive in 1983 to increase the U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf to help protect the oil facilities and shipments to allies. The war lasts eight years.




          https://www.cfr.org/timeline/oil-dependence-and-us-foreign-policy



          Carter Doctrine




          The Carter Doctrine was a policy proclaimed by President of the United States Jimmy Carter in his State of the Union Address on January 23, 1980, which stated that the United States would use military force, if necessary, to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf.




          There are other examples at the first link, and that's just oil. The US has hundreds of military bases around the world to control strategic minerals and other commodities.






          share|improve this answer
























          • This does not answer the question.

            – Stephen
            47 mins ago














          0












          0








          0







          U.S.-Iran Oil Consortium




          In August 1953, the Iranian military, with the help of British and U.S. intelligence agencies, overthrows Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq—who nationalized the country's oil industry two years earlier. The U.S. government works with U.S. oil majors and the Iranian government—now run by the Shah—to bring Iranian oil back online following a British embargo of oil shipments. Iran's oil remains nationalized, but in October 1954 the government agrees to a consortium of mainly U.S. companies to manage Iran's oil industry.




          Suez Canal Crisis




          In a 1957 speech to Congress, Eisenhower says the Middle East would be a prize for international communism and asks Congress to provide economic and military support for any nation or groups of nations in the region with "governments manifestly dedicated to the preservation of independence and resistance to subversion."




          Iran-Iraq War




          The Reagan administration issues a national security directive in 1983 to increase the U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf to help protect the oil facilities and shipments to allies. The war lasts eight years.




          https://www.cfr.org/timeline/oil-dependence-and-us-foreign-policy



          Carter Doctrine




          The Carter Doctrine was a policy proclaimed by President of the United States Jimmy Carter in his State of the Union Address on January 23, 1980, which stated that the United States would use military force, if necessary, to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf.




          There are other examples at the first link, and that's just oil. The US has hundreds of military bases around the world to control strategic minerals and other commodities.






          share|improve this answer













          U.S.-Iran Oil Consortium




          In August 1953, the Iranian military, with the help of British and U.S. intelligence agencies, overthrows Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq—who nationalized the country's oil industry two years earlier. The U.S. government works with U.S. oil majors and the Iranian government—now run by the Shah—to bring Iranian oil back online following a British embargo of oil shipments. Iran's oil remains nationalized, but in October 1954 the government agrees to a consortium of mainly U.S. companies to manage Iran's oil industry.




          Suez Canal Crisis




          In a 1957 speech to Congress, Eisenhower says the Middle East would be a prize for international communism and asks Congress to provide economic and military support for any nation or groups of nations in the region with "governments manifestly dedicated to the preservation of independence and resistance to subversion."




          Iran-Iraq War




          The Reagan administration issues a national security directive in 1983 to increase the U.S. military presence in the Persian Gulf to help protect the oil facilities and shipments to allies. The war lasts eight years.




          https://www.cfr.org/timeline/oil-dependence-and-us-foreign-policy



          Carter Doctrine




          The Carter Doctrine was a policy proclaimed by President of the United States Jimmy Carter in his State of the Union Address on January 23, 1980, which stated that the United States would use military force, if necessary, to defend its national interests in the Persian Gulf.




          There are other examples at the first link, and that's just oil. The US has hundreds of military bases around the world to control strategic minerals and other commodities.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 1 hour ago









          Keith McClaryKeith McClary

          451210




          451210













          • This does not answer the question.

            – Stephen
            47 mins ago



















          • This does not answer the question.

            – Stephen
            47 mins ago

















          This does not answer the question.

          – Stephen
          47 mins ago





          This does not answer the question.

          – Stephen
          47 mins ago


















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