Famine causation: A critical reappraisal

Date

1997

Author

Aydın, Zülküf

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This article aims to challenge the conventional portrayal of famine as a natural disaster expressed in terms of food scarcity culminating in starvation. In doing so it questions the conventional argument that famines result from forces of nature such as droughts, floods and plagues of locusts, and attempts to provide an alternative explanation which considers natural disasters as triggers and locates the explanation in the realms of the political, economic and social spheres. The emphasis is on showing how the actual triggers, resulting from long term structural weakening which makes societies vulnerable to famine, are complex and diverse. Therefore it is necessary to take a 'holistic approach' which considers the dynamics at household, local, national and international levels. In developing a holistic framework, various theories of famine are critically scrutinised. A specific emphasis is placed upon A.K. Sen's entitlement theory which shows that unequal access to resources can and does increase peoples' vulnerability to famine in a free market economy. Despite its insightful perception and superiority to conventional explanations of famine which blame nature, Sen's approach remains one dimensional. These deficiencies may be overcome by adopting a holistic approach.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/109808

Collections

Department of Economics, Article