Selects: How Famines Work
Step into a critical exploration of worldwide famine with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant in the podcast 'Stuff You Should Know.' Delving deep into this grave subject, the hosts unravel the interplay of natural disasters and human actions that lead to catastrophic food shortages. They underscore the influence of climatic events and governmental policies, drawing connections with the stark reality of climate change and its ramifications on global food production. The episode is a meticulous investigation into the natural and anthropogenic forces that converge to create the perfect storm for a famine.
The conversation extends beyond the surface, as they present poignant historical cases such as China's Great Famine and the travesties in Ethiopia, illustrating the dire consequences of failed agricultural policies and government mismanagement. The hosts highlight the importance of proactive governance, emphasizing disaster preparedness and the implementation of successful preventative measures. 'Stuff You Should Know' expands on how systems like the Famine Early Warning Systems Network are vital in equipping governments to prevent and react to emerging famine threats, making it a vital resource for understanding the complexities surrounding one of humanity's most severe challenges.
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1-Page Summary
Causes of famine
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant address the complex causes of famine, pinpointing both natural disasters and human influences. They particularly emphasize drought and climate change as natural factors that detrimentally affect food production. Rising temperatures, made worse by global climate change, are contributing to severe weather conditions like droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures, which destroy crops and disrupt food supplies. The Irish Potato Famine, where crop disease thrived due to a wet spring, showcases how natural disasters can devastate a population reliant on a single food source.
Political instability and conflict also play a significant role in precipitating famine conditions. Policies and acts of war disrupt food distribution, inflate prices, and block aid. The Irish Potato Famine was worsened by the English government's inadequate response and exploitative policies. Conflicts in countries such as Yemen and South Sudan have resulted in restricted access to food, exacerbating famine conditions.
Historical case studies
Several historical famines are notable for the role of government policy in worsening their impacts. The Great Famine in China was primarily caused by Mao Zedong's failed agricultural policies, aiming to demonstrate the superiority of communism, which led to inflated crop reports and severe grain shortages, culminating in at least 15 million deaths. Ethiopia's famines show government actions contributing to the crisis, with emperor Haile Selassie spending lavishly during a famine and the subsequent government's strategies during civil war aiming to starve out rebel regions, actions that deepened the suffering.
Government accountability and policy
Governments play a pivotal role in either mitigating or exacerbating famines. Mismanagement from autocratic regimes or during conflicts can prolong or worsen famines due to indifference or deliberate exploitation. The British handling of the Irish Potato Famine, where grain exports were prioritized over local needs and the free market approach failed, and Ethiopia's government spending and tactics during civil war highlight government malfeasance during famines. Josh Clark points out autocratic rule as a major factor in creating famine conditions when governments deny problems and withhold information regarding food security.
Preventative policies encompassing disaster preparedness, effective food aid, agricultural development, and early warning systems are essential to prevent future famines. The Famine Early Warning Systems Network, established in 1985, exemplifies a tool for governments to respond to these situations responsibly. The response becomes crucial especially during conflicts, such as that with Boko Haram in Nigeria, which can impede the delivery of food and aid.
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Clarifications
- The Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Famine, occurred in Ireland between 1845 and 1852. It was caused by a potato blight that destroyed the main food source of the Irish population. The British government's response was criticized for being inadequate and exacerbating the crisis. The famine led to mass starvation, disease, and emigration, significantly impacting Irish society and history.
- Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward campaign in China aimed to rapidly industrialize the country through collectivization of agriculture. This policy led to forced agricultural practices, such as backyard furnaces and communal farming, which disrupted traditional farming methods. The exaggerated reports of crop yields under this system misled the government, resulting in severe food shortages and contributing to the Great Famine of 1959-1961. The combination of natural disasters, policy failures, and the suppression of accurate information exacerbated the famine, leading to millions of deaths.
- Emperor Haile Selassie's actions during the Ethiopian famines included extravagant spending during times of crisis and a lack of effective response to alleviate the suffering of the population. Additionally, his government's strategies during civil war aimed to use food as a weapon by withholding it from rebel regions, exacerbating the famine conditions. These actions deepened the impact of the famines and contributed to the suffering of the Ethiopian people during those periods.
- Autocratic rule can contribute to famine conditions when governments fail to address food security issues due to their authoritarian nature. Autocratic leaders may prioritize their own interests over the well-being of the population, leading to mismanagement of resources and neglect of vulnerable communities. Lack of transparency and accountability in autocratic regimes can hinder effective responses to food crises, exacerbating the impact of famines. Autocratic governments may suppress information about food shortages or manipulate data to downplay the severity of the situation, delaying necessary interventions.
- The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is a program that provides timely and accurate information about food insecurity and famine risk in vulnerable regions. It uses data analysis and early warning mechanisms to help governments and organizations prepare and respond to potential food crises. FEWS NET plays a crucial role in preventing and mitigating famines by monitoring food security indicators and issuing alerts to prompt timely interventions. Established in 1985, it serves as a valuable tool for improving food security and disaster response efforts globally.
Counterarguments
- While natural disasters and climate change are significant factors in food production challenges, it's important to recognize that technological advancements and modern agricultural practices can sometimes mitigate these effects.
- The role of rising temperatures in contributing to severe weather conditions is complex, and while there is a consensus on the impact of climate change, some argue that other factors, such as land use and natural climate variability, also play a role.
- Political instability and conflict are indeed disruptive, but it's also worth considering that in some cases, international sanctions or external political pressures can exacerbate food shortages in conflict zones.
- Regarding the Irish Potato Famine, some historians argue that while the English government's policies were certainly a factor, the scale of the disaster was also due to the lack of scientific understanding of the potato blight at the time.
- Mao Zedong's policies were disastrous, but some scholars suggest that other factors, such as natural disasters and the Soviet Union's withdrawal of support, also contributed to the Great Famine in China.
- In the case of Ethiopia, while government actions certainly worsened the famine, the complexity of the situation also involved ethnic tensions, land tenure issues, and international aid dynamics.
- The assertion that autocratic rule can create famine conditions might be too broad, as there are instances where autocratic governments have effectively managed food security and famine prevention.
- Preventative policies are crucial, but there is debate over the best approach to agricultural development and whether certain types of food aid can sometimes harm local economies or create dependency.
- The effectiveness of early warning systems like the Famine Early Warning Systems Network can be limited by political will, funding, and the capacity of governments to act on the information provided.
- In conflict situations, while the delivery of food and aid is critical, some argue that peace-building and conflict resolution should be prioritized to address the root causes of famine.
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Causes of famine
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discuss the multifaceted issues that lead to famine, highlighting both natural and man-made factors.
Natural disasters such as drought, flooding, and crop disease
The hosts explain the role of natural disasters in compromising food security, with a specific emphasis on drought. They note that conditions like severe weather, flooding, extreme temperatures, and crop diseases can ruin crops and severely threaten food supplies. Crop diseases, pests, and weeds are other natural factors that can wreak havoc on food production.
Josh Clark particularly mentions that global climate change is exacerbating these issues, leading to rising temperatures that cut into the global food supply. Clark cites severe weather caused by climate change, such as excessive rain or drought conditions, which can destroy crops, shorten growing seasons, or completely prevent crop growth.
One historical example of natural disaster causing famine is the Irish Potato Famine, where a disease called phytophthora led to widespread potato crop rot. This took place after a cold, rainy spring that fostered conditions favorable for the disease. Considering the Irish population's heavy dependence on potatoes at the time, this led to catastrophic food shortages.
Political instability and conflict
Political factors also significantly contribute to famine conditions, as highlighted by the discussion about the Irish Potato Famine. The hosts note that during this period, England, which ruled Ireland, failed to provide sufficient intervention. The British government's policies, including the continued export of grain from Ireland to Britain and the British Poor Law, which sent able-bodied indigents to workhouses, exacerbated the famine.
Chuck Bryant draws attention to a report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that warns about a 2% decre ...
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Causes of famine
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Clarifications
- Phytophthora is a genus of plant-damaging oomycetes (water molds) that can cause devastating diseases in crops. During the Irish Potato Famine, Phytophthora infestans, specifically, led to the widespread destruction of potato crops in Ireland. This pathogen caused the potatoes to rot in the fields, resulting in a catastrophic food shortage due to the heavy reliance on potatoes as a staple food source in Ireland at that time.
- The British Poor Law was a system in place in the United Kingdom that provided relief to the poor. During the Irish Potato Famine, the British government's implementation of the Poor Law worsened the situation by sending able-bodied indigents to workhouses instead of providing adequate assistance to address the famine's impact on food shortages. This policy exacerbated the suffering of the Irish population during the famine by diverting resources away from addressing the food crisis. The British government's failure to intervene effectively during the famine, coupled with policies like the Poor Law, contributed to the severity of the crisis in Ireland.
- The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report highlights the potential impact of continued temperature rise on crop harvests. It warns that a 2% decrease in crop yields per decade could occur due to rising temperatures. This decrease in crop harvests is expected to be particularly s ...
Counterarguments
- While natural disasters compromise food security, it's important to consider the role of human resilience and adaptation strategies that can mitigate these effects, such as improved agricultural techniques, drought-resistant crops, and better water management.
- The impact of global climate change on food supply is complex, and some regions may experience benefits such as longer growing seasons or increased rainfall, which could potentially offset some negative impacts.
- The Irish Potato Famine was indeed exacerbated by natural disasters, but it's also critical to examine the social and economic structures that made the population so vulnerable to a single crop failure.
- Political factors do contribute to famine, but it's also worth exploring how international aid and intervention can sometimes alleviate or even prevent famine conditions when effectively managed.
- Reports of crop harvest decreases must be balanced with the potential for technological and genetic advancements that could improve crop yields and adapt to changing climates.
- Predictions about long-term warming trends and their impact on crop yields must take into account the possibilit ...
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Historical case studies
This section explores two significant historical famines that were exacerbated by government policies and actions, shedding light on the human contributions to these catastrophic events.
China's Great Famine
Caused by Mao Zedong's agricultural policies during the Great Leap Forward
China's Great Famine, as discussed by Clark and Bryant, was a direct result of Mao Zedong's agricultural policies implemented during the Great Leap Forward. Mao's ambition to demonstrate the superiority of communism pushed him to adopt drastic agricultural reforms aimed at boosting productivity to finance his industrialization plans. These policies, however, were based on a five-year plan that was overly ambitious and catastrophically flawed.
Due to fear or enthusiasm for the movement, officials often exaggerated reports of crop success. This deception led authorities to collect more crops than were actually available, distributing them to urban centers and contributing to famine conditions. Mao notoriously stated during this period that it is better to let some people die so that others can eat their fill, highlighting the man-made nature of the famine.
Resulted in at least 15 million deaths
The tragic consequence of the government's grain requisitioning policy, which was based on the inflated production reports, was widespread shortages and starvation. At least 15 million deaths were caused by the famines that ensued, marking the Great Famine as one of the deadliest in human history.
Ethiopia's famines
The famines Ethiopia has experienced were not only a result of natural occurrences but were also heavily influenced by government decisions and mismanagement.
Exacerbated by government suppression, with aid exploited for political ends
The 1973 Wallo famine, resulting in 300,000 deaths, occurred not because of an absence of food but largely due to unaffordable food prices for the impoverished population of Wallo. This was exacerbated by Emperor Haile Selassie’s decision to spend $35 million on his 80th birthday celebration during the same year, showing a disregard for the suffering population.
The 1983-1985 famine in Ethiopia, known in the West through initiatives like Band Aid and Live Aid, was also a man-made disaster. ...
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Historical case studies
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Clarifications
- Mao Zedong's agricultural policies during the Great Leap Forward aimed to rapidly transform China's economy through collectivization and communal farming. The policies included the establishment of People's Communes, where land and resources were pooled together for collective use. Farmers were organized into large work teams to increase agricultural output, but these policies led to inefficiencies, crop failures, and widespread famine due to unrealistic production targets and mismanagement. The government's focus on industrialization and unrealistic reporting of agricultural yields exacerbated the crisis, leading to severe food shortages and millions of deaths.
- The 1973 Wallo famine in Ethiopia was a devastating event that resulted in around 300,000 deaths. It was primarily caused by unaffordable food prices for the impoverished population of Wallo, exacerbated by government decisions and mismanagement, including extravagant spending by Emperor Haile Selassie. This famine highlighted the impact of economic factors and governmental actions on exacerbating food insecurity and humanitarian crises.
- The Ethiopian civil war, which lasted from 1974 to 1991, involved various factions vying for power and control in the country. The conflict significantly disrupted agricultural activities, leading to food insecurity and famine in certain regions. The government's actions during the war, such as targeting rebel areas by destroying food supplies, exacerbated the ...
Counterarguments
- The death toll of China's Great Famine is debated among scholars, with some estimates being significantly higher than 15 million, suggesting that the figure provided might be conservative.
- Some historians argue that while Mao's policies were a significant factor, other elements such as natural disasters also played a role in exacerbating the famine in China.
- There is a perspective that the Great Leap Forward's failures were partly due to the lack of accurate feedback from lower levels of government to the central leadership, rather than solely the result of Mao's policies.
- Regarding Ethiopia, some argue that while government policies did exacerbate the famine, complex factors such as international commodity prices, land tenure systems, and population pressures also contributed to the crisis.
- In the case of the 1983-1985 Ethiopian famine, some scholars suggest that the famine was used as a weapon by all parties involved in the conflict, not just the government.
- It can be argued th ...
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Government accountability and policy
Government inaction and malfeasance can precipitate and exacerbate famines, as history demonstrates. Conversely, informed policies and preventative measures could mitigate or prevent such disasters.
Autocratic regimes worsen or prolong famines due to indifference, incompetence, or exploitation
The British government’s handling of the Irish famine revealed an abdication of responsibility, where under the tenure of Lord John Russell, following Robert Peel, the Irish were left to deal with the famine on their own. This was compounded by the expectation that grain exports continue as usual. The free market was trusted to correct the famine, a decision that was critically flawed as the market failed and required intervention. The prevailing mentality among England’s elite that the famine would correct overpopulation hints at the indifference to the suffering of the Irish. At the same time, wealthier landowners consolidated wealth by purchasing smaller farms, leading to community structure changes that aggravated the situation.
Historically, famines in the 20th century have occurred in countries with autocratic regimes or during armed conflicts. The Ethiopian government’s secret actions during the civil war, such as destroying food supplies, significantly contributed to the famine there. Extravagant government expenditure on celebrations during times of famine also illustrated a profound indifference to the crisis.
Human Rights Watch reported Ethiopia's government repression as a contributing factor to famine, highlighting the neglect autocratic regimes can have towards their populace's critical needs. Josh Clark states that autocratic rule is often a central problem leading to famines, as shown when a government denies the onset of famine and maintains a façade of food security despite evidence to the cont ...
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Government accountability and policy
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Clarifications
- Malfeasance is the intentional wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a public official or government entity. It involves actions that are willfully harmful or injurious. In the context of governance, malfeasance can lead to severe consequences such as exacerbating crises like famines. Autocratic regimes' malfeasance can worsen or prolong famines due to indifference, incompetence, or exploitation.
- Abdication of responsibility means failing to fulfill one's duties or obligations. In the context of government actions during a crisis like a famine, it implies neglecting to provide necessary assistance or support to those in need. This can lead to worsening the situation and exacerbating the suffering of the affected population. Abdication of responsibility can manifest through inaction, indifference, or misguided decisions that do not address the crisis effectively.
- Autocratic regimes are governments where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group, often without meaningful checks and balances. These regimes can exhibit authoritarian characteristics, limiting freedoms and political participation. Autocratic regimes may prioritize maintaining power over addressing the needs of their population, potentially leading to crises like famines. Such regimes can be indifferent or exploitative towards their citizens' well-being.
- The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) is a program established in 1985 by USAID and the US Department of State to provide crucial information and analysis on food insecurity to aid organizations, governments, and researchers. It aims to forecast and anticipate food crises in advance by analyzing various factors like climate, agriculture, prices, and nutrition ...
Counterarguments
- While government inaction can lead to famines, it is also important to consider other factors such as natural disasters, climate change, and global economic conditions that can contribute to food shortages.
- Autocratic regimes may sometimes act efficiently in crisis management due to centralized control, which can be advantageous in implementing rapid response measures.
- The role of colonial powers in famines, such as the British government during the Irish famine, can be seen in a broader context of the time's economic and political ideologies, rather than solely as a failure of responsibility.
- Free market mechanisms can sometimes alleviate food shortages by allowing for the importation of food from surplus regions, although this is not a universal solution and can fail under certain conditions.
- The consolidation of wealth by landowners during famines can be interpreted as an economic response to market conditions, which may not necessarily be intended to aggravate the situation.
- In some cases, autocratic governments may be secretive about famines due to concerns about national security or international reputation, rather than outright indifference or incompetence.
- Preventative policies such as food-for-work programs and agricultural development need to be carefully designed to avoid creating dependencies or disrupting local economies.
- Early warning systems are valuable ...
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