ABSTRACT
To “set the table” for the main issues covered in this work, we need to provide some background on the development of global food markets. While we do not want to regurgitate a detailed history, it is necessary to briefly describe some of the forces that helped shape the modern global food systems. As outlined in Chapter 2, the discussion is framed within food regime theory as it provides a broad framework to describe changes in global food markets similar to capitalist accumulation regimes used in the SSA approach. In addition to summarizing the factors that shaped the modern food system, background is needed on the financial elements described throughout the book, namely development of modern futures markets and the private equity firm. The discussions in this chapter provide the foundation for material discussed in the remainder of the book.
