Chapters 4-5

In today’s global food system, we are maximizing the total food production, but decreasing the price. Patel brings up a good point when he asks, at whose expense will the low prices of food come from (76)? As the chapters progress, it starts to reveal those who are deeply affected by this issue. From the example about the production of tea and sugar, “International trade transformed the world and, in its high capitalist form, was premised on a great deal of exploitation, for a wide range of goods, across large parts of the planet. Slave labour was an integral part of the provision of cheap food to European cities” (81). Slaves were not only commonly used in Europe, but also in the United States and South America. This, however, change the reputation of the food industry in today’s world. In the prompt provided, “[…] countries are known not as victims of empire, but as ‘Banana Republics.’ It’s a taint which sullies the reputations of these countries’ citizens, rather than reflecting back on the cause of their improvishment” (101). The usage of African slaves was necessary to ensure an increase in food production, however, as nations become industrialized, they started to import food from other countries. When reflecting on food production, we always blame these countries for their economic methods, but without them, we will not be a thriving nation.

To an extent, most benefits from this global food system. There may be flaws, but they allow protection and support for these countries that we deem as the villain. It is understandable that we trade food with other countries to prevent a chance of a civil war (84). It is also understandable that these country have to develop such extreme methods ensure cheaper food. When determining who suffers the most and benefits individually, farmers seems to be negatively impacted. Our global economy does not produce food to help those in poverty or help us develop a better agricultural environment, but to help us build a support system for the economy in case of bankruptcy (94). In order to maintain economic stability, we have to sacrifice the integrity of these farmers.