Political Economy of Food

The political economy of food examines the impact of national economies and political leadership on local, national, and global food production and security. Key issues include the impact of government agricultural and food policies, underdevelopment in third world [Page 489]nations, the rise of transnational agribusinesses and the global market, food disputes between first world nations, and the causes and responses to food crises and famines. These issues will have a key impact on world response to the global food crisis of the beginning of the 21st century, as food prices rise and food reserves drop, leaving billions at risk of hunger and malnutrition.