FOOD REGIME ANALYSIS IN
THE CONTEXT OF THE
WORLD FOOD CRISIS
By: Philip McMichael
PREPARED BY: LIZA MAE A. RIVERA
Philip McMichael
• A historical sociologist in the Department of Development
Sociology at Cornell University.
• His work focuses on the role of agri-food systems in the making
of the modern world, including an examination of the politics of
globalization via the structuring of agri-food relations.
Introduction
The ‘food regime’ has always been a historical concept.
As such, it has demarcated stable periodic arrangements
in the production and circulation of food on a world scale,
associated with various forms of hegemony in the world
economy; British, American, and corporate/neoliberal.
FOOD REGIME
It is not merely about food itself; rather, it focuses
on the relations within which food is produced
and distributed. These relations are intricately tied
to the broader dynamics of capitalism.
CONTOURS OF THE FOOD
CRISIS
Food riots cascading across the world in 2007–
2008 (Italy, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Guinea,
Mauritania, Senegal, West Bengal, Indonesia,
Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Yemen,
Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Mexico, Argentina,
Haiti…) bore witness to rising basic food prices.
Food regime analysis in the context of the
world food crisis is a concept that examines
the political and economic structures of the
global food system during times of crisis. It
focuses on understanding the power
dynamics, institutions, and actors involved in
the production, distribution, and
consumption of food.
According to food regime analysis, the world
food crisis is not solely a result of natural or
technical factors but is deeply rooted in the
social, economic, and political structures of
the global food system. It highlights the role
of corporate agri-food relations and the
unequal distribution of resources and power
that contribute to food insecurity and hunger.
Here are some key highlights related to the
world food crisis and the food regime:
LET'S DELVE INTO ITS KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
1. World Food Crisis (2007–2008):
The so-called world food crisis of 2007–
2008 had multiple underlying factors:
*Fossil Fuel Dependence*: Industrial capitalism's
long-term reliance on fossil fuels played a significant
role.
*Biofuel Offsets and Financial Speculation*: The
inflation-producing effects of current biofuel offsets
and financial speculation contributed to the crisis.
*Agribusiness Capital Concentration*: The
concentration and centralization of agribusiness capital
resulted from enabling policies within the corporate
food regime.
*Peak Oil and Fuel Crop Substitutes*: Rising costs
due to peak oil and fuel crop substitutes further
exacerbated the situation.
*Monopoly Pricing by Agribusiness*:
Agribusinesses' monopoly pricing practices
globally affected food prices, facilitated by
neoliberal finance and trade policies.
2. IMPACT ON PEASANT AGRICULTURES
- The artificial cheapening of traded food disrupted peasant
agricultures, removing barriers to agribusiness expansion.
- This dispossession of peasant agriculture created a
reserve labor force for export-processing and special
economic zones worldwide.
3. HISTORICAL CONTEXT:
- The concept of a "food regime" defines specific geopolitical and
economic arrangements in international agricultural and food relations.
- Different food regimes correspond to hegemonic eras, such as the
British and U.S. dominance.
- Understanding these historical antecedents helps us analyze the
current corporate food regime and its implications for global
development.
CONCLUSION
•In conclusion, the food regime analysis helps us
understand the intricate connections between
food production, capitalism, and global crises.
It's a powerful tool for unraveling historical
patterns and transitions in our food systems.
THANK YOU!!!