Making Famine History
Journal of Economic Literature
vol. 45,
no. 1, March 2007
(pp. 5-38)
Abstract
This paper reviews recent contributions to the economics and economic history of famine. It provides a context for the history of famine in the twentieth century, which is unique. During the century, war and totalitarianism produced more famine deaths than did overpopulation and economic backwardness; yet by its end, economic growth and medical technology had almost eliminated the threat of major famines. Today's high-profile famines are "small" by historical standards. Topics analyzed include the role played by food markets in mitigating or exacerbating famine, the globalization of disaster relief, the enhanced role of human agency and entitlements, distinctive demography of certain twentieth-century famines, and future prospects for "making famine history."Citation
Gráda, Cormac, Ó. 2007. "Making Famine History." Journal of Economic Literature, 45 (1): 5-38. DOI: 10.1257/jel.45.1.5JEL Classification
- I12 Health Production
- N30 Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: General, International, or Comparative
- N50 Economic History: Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment, and Extractive Industries: General, International, or Comparative
- O13 Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products
- Q11 Agriculture: Aggregate Supply and Demand Analysis; Prices
- Q54 Climate; Natural Disasters; Global Warming