Instrumentalization of famine: weapon of war, tool of politics, economics, and media

Details

Supervisors

Prelz Oltramonti, Giulia

Faculty

Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales, politiques et de communication

Degree label

Master de spécialisation en action humanitaire internationale

Abstract

While great famines in the 20th century caused millions of deaths (e.g. Russia in 1921-1922 and North Korea in 1995-1999), it must be noted that the intensity of famine has decreased as economic development and industrial revolutions during this century have progressed. Recent, more localized famines, however, remain deadly phenomena that are primarily caused by political decisions and conflicts, and not by food shortages. The incidence of climatic hazards, if they were prevalent in former famines, now seem to be better monitored thanks to weather prediction systems. Nevertheless, global warming could increase the risk of future famines, but not as a single factor. Indeed, contemporary famines are more than ever the consequences of decisions and actions taken by humans.