The Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI) today released a Commentary, Revolution on an Empty Stomach, written by John Thompson, the head of the Mackenzie Institute.
Every day we are inundated with news of revolution and unrest around the world. From Algeria to Yemen, it’s not necessarily corruption that is causing all the trouble. Throughout history fear of hunger has been a catalyst for revolution. John Thompson outlines this history and warns us that with demand for food on the rise, the increase in the cost of that food, and overall global shortages in the last few years, regions where citizens fear starvation are likely to be highly unstable.
Thompson writes, “The fear of hunger – rather than hunger itself – has always played a role in provoking unrest. That means until we can bring food prices down much of the world is going to be restless.”
