This study offers a thorough presentation of Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen's theories regarding the topic announced in the title. Ensuing chapters delve into conceptualizations of democracy; famines in Bangladesh, Sudan, India, Malawi, and Niger; quantitative evidence; macro-level causal approaches; and counter-productive democratic mechanisms. Rubin (society & globalization, Roskilde U., Denmark) offers three propositions in his concluding chapter and discussion of moving beyond the focus on democracy. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Famine is the most extreme manifestation of the existence of poverty, inequality and political apathy. Whereas poverty, hunger and diseases are not easily eradicated in the world today, famines are often perceived to be relatively simple to avert. However, the political incentives to prevent famines are not always present.
Inspired by the work of Amartya Sen, whose influential hypothesis that democratic institutions together with a free press provide effective protection from famine, Democracy and Famine is a study combining qualitative and quantitative evidence, analysing the effect of democracy on famine prevention. The book’s overall framework moves from placing political systems at the heart of famine protection to look at the political processes involved.
Using a case study based approach drawing on famines from India, Malawi and Niger; Democracy and Famine will be of interest to scholars and students of democracy, comparative politics and international relations.
Rohkem infot Taylor & Francis e-raamatute kohta