1. A common feature of famines, ranging from those in nineteenth century India t
ID: 2507144 • Letter: 1
Question
1. A common feature of famines, ranging from those in nineteenth century India to the
more recent ones in Sudan and Ethiopia, was that they all took place even though there
was no decline in the food-grain availability per capita in those countries. How does
one explain this anomaly?
2.One popular way of measuring a society's well being is to analyse utilities of individuals
in the society. Two possible ways of measuring well being based on utilities are:
2. Usociety = min(u1, u2...un)
The first measure adds up individual utilities (ui) across the entire society. The other
measure uses a minimum function to do the same. Interpret these two measures.
Criticise both these measures using the capabilities approach.
Explanation / Answer
The number of studies of famine mortality in village populations can be counted on the fingers of one hand - students of famine demographics are advised to consult nineteenth century Indian statistics if they want to test their hypotheses.
But, gradually, a shocking picture of ineptitude and massive diversion is emerging. There have been some successes, particularly in emergency care in refugee camps, but the sad truth is that the huge pouring of relief aid into Africa for over a decade has contributed to the institutionalization of violence.
Ethiopia is a case in point. It is now no longer seriously disputed that the massive inflow of aid following Band-Aid contributed more to the survival of the Ethiopian government, whose army was the main reason for the famine, than the famine-stricken peasantry.
Large amounts of international food aid were diverted to the government militias. The flow of aid allowed the army to maintain garrisons that would otherwise have surrendered and kept open roads that enabled the military to resupply its front line.
Food aid distributions enticed young men forward who were forcibly conscripted. Perhaps most inside of relief aid into Africa for over a decade has contributed to the institutionalization of violence.
The aid programs gave the government spurious humanitarian credentials while its soldiers were busy destroying farmers' livelihoods and hence forcing them into relief shelters
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