Disciplines
International Public Health
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Nowadays, food shortages are becoming more commonplace due to increasing costs and supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 epidemic and other socioeconomic factors. Food security is a crucial public health issue that affects human well-being, health, and development on a global scale. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report from 2021 estimates approximately 2.37 billion people suffered from a lack of food in 2020. In other words, 1 in 3 people could not access enough food (FAO et al., 2021). Food security is not only determined by natural factors but also by social factors such as political stability, governance, and conflict. Furthermore, food insecurity can be a driving force of social unrest, leading to political instability.
This mini-project aims to explore the relationships between political instability and food insecurity using a comprehensive dataset from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations through literature review and secondary data analysis. The study investigates the relationship between food insecurity, measured by the prevalence of food insecurity within each country's population, political instability, measured by an index of political stability or the absence of violence/terrorism, and food imports in total merchandise exports. The results of this study may have significant implications for policymakers and international humanitarian efforts, particularly in developing countries where political instability and food insecurity are significant challenges. Moreover, highlighting the factors contributing to food insecurity allows public health officials to plan better interventions to address this issue. Overall, this mini-project will contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationships between political instability, food insecurity, and international trade in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in a world plagued by violence and corruption.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CCSE - Data Science and Analytics
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Kevin Gittner
Included in
Unstable Politics, Empty Stomachs: Investigating the Relationship Between Political Instability and Food Insecurity
Nowadays, food shortages are becoming more commonplace due to increasing costs and supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 epidemic and other socioeconomic factors. Food security is a crucial public health issue that affects human well-being, health, and development on a global scale. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report from 2021 estimates approximately 2.37 billion people suffered from a lack of food in 2020. In other words, 1 in 3 people could not access enough food (FAO et al., 2021). Food security is not only determined by natural factors but also by social factors such as political stability, governance, and conflict. Furthermore, food insecurity can be a driving force of social unrest, leading to political instability.
This mini-project aims to explore the relationships between political instability and food insecurity using a comprehensive dataset from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations through literature review and secondary data analysis. The study investigates the relationship between food insecurity, measured by the prevalence of food insecurity within each country's population, political instability, measured by an index of political stability or the absence of violence/terrorism, and food imports in total merchandise exports. The results of this study may have significant implications for policymakers and international humanitarian efforts, particularly in developing countries where political instability and food insecurity are significant challenges. Moreover, highlighting the factors contributing to food insecurity allows public health officials to plan better interventions to address this issue. Overall, this mini-project will contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationships between political instability, food insecurity, and international trade in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in a world plagued by violence and corruption.