FAMINE Theories of Famine Theories of Famine FAD: Food Availability Decline FAD: Food Availability Decline Entitlement Theory Entitlement Theory Dependency Theory Dependency Theory Analysis Analysis Food security Food security

Food Security The ability of a country to produce, store or import sufficient food. The ability of a country to produce, store or import sufficient food. Maximum Autonomy over access free from international price fluctuations or political pressure Maximum Autonomy over access free from international price fluctuations or political pressure Reliability of food supply Reliability of food supply Production in accordance with environmental sustainability Production in accordance with environmental sustainability Equity in the sense of a guaranteed minimum for all Equity in the sense of a guaranteed minimum for all

Famine Is not an event but a process Is not an event but a process Starts from developing food insecurity Starts from developing food insecurity Famine is the end of this process Famine is the end of this process

FAD Scarcity Scarcity Malthusian Pessimism Malthusian Pessimism High Demand High Demand Low Supply Low Supply What causes this? What causes this? A neo-classical perspective A neo-classical perspective Focus on production and population Focus on production and population

Agricultural Problems Neo-classical views Neo-classical views State intervention State intervention Irrationality of Peasants Irrationality of Peasants Need to develop both local and export markets Need to develop both local and export markets Market incentives and comparative advantage Market incentives and comparative advantage

Poverty and Famine “Starvation is the characteristic of some people not having enough food to eat. It is not the characteristic of there being not enough to eat. While the latter can be a cause of the former, it is but one of the possible causes” “Starvation is the characteristic of some people not having enough food to eat. It is not the characteristic of there being not enough to eat. While the latter can be a cause of the former, it is but one of the possible causes”

Entitlement Theory Acquirement Problem Acquirement Problem Exchange Entitlement Set Exchange Entitlement Set Initial Factor Endowment Initial Factor Endowment Exchange Entitlement Set Exchange Entitlement Set

Entitlements Differs according to nature of economic, political and social structure Differs according to nature of economic, political and social structure Entitlement relations Entitlement relations A structuralist analysis A structuralist analysis Need for State action Need for State action Famine relief and work fare Famine relief and work fare Early Warning Signals Early Warning Signals

Strengths Focus of distribution Focus of distribution Reliant on social and political forces that underpin the economic system Reliant on social and political forces that underpin the economic system

Weaknesses Need to explore the long terms causes Need to explore the long terms causes Deaths through famine not caused by lack of food but detrimental health conditions Deaths through famine not caused by lack of food but detrimental health conditions

Dependency Protectionism in West Protectionism in West Decline in Commodity Prices Decline in Commodity Prices Agribusiness Agribusiness Susan George - How the Other Half Dies - Transnational Institute Susan George - How the Other Half Dies - Transnational Institute Susan George - How the Other Half Dies - Transnational Institute Susan George - How the Other Half Dies - Transnational Institute Urban Bias Urban Bias Commoditisation of Food Commoditisation of Food

Long Term causes The impact of imperialism The impact of imperialism The effects of export commodity production The effects of export commodity production The role of agribusiness The role of agribusiness Urban Bias Urban Bias

Summary Many explanations for famine Many explanations for famine Many causes of famine Many causes of famine Entitlement theory seeks to provide a comprehensive analytical framework Entitlement theory seeks to provide a comprehensive analytical framework Dependency writers seek to locate famine within the domestic and global class structure and market Dependency writers seek to locate famine within the domestic and global class structure and market