ABSTRACT
This chapter concentrates on areas of Southern and Eastern Africa where the authors have conducted field research. These are countries where a history of British colonialism has created similar patterns of land use and employment. The chapter discusses the three topics: Issues of food security in the world in general and in Africa in particular; the typical remedies being proposed by mainstream economists; and the contrasting approaches typically proposed by leftist critics of this economics mainstream. Leathers and Foster describe the 2008 food crisis as an example of the global problems of food security. Food prices on the international market rose steadily from 2000 to 2006 and then escalated dramatically between 2006 and 2008. Leathers and Foster acknowledge the food security problems of sub-Saharan Africa as unique. Despite policies for liberalizing trade and cutting government spending in African countries, under-nutrition is still at alarming levels. Leathers and Fosters condemn policies which artificially depress prices so the poor can afford food.
