ABSTRACT
This paper re-examines the broad public policies implemented in the developing countries to alleviate poverty and hunger. The analysis is carried out through simulation experiments using a generic system dynamics model of an agrarian economy which determines income distribution and food adequacy endogenously but treats government policy as exogenous. It is suggested that policies such as agricultural development, financial and technical assistance for the poor and population control, that directly address the symptoms of the problems of poverty and hunger, may be defeated in the long run since socio-technical arrangements of the system favor persistence of poverty and vulnerability to food shortage. These policies will, however, be successful if concomitant efforts are also made to discourage absentee ownership through fiscal measures and to build up a food slack in the system through adopting staples with a high cereal/edible calories conversion ratios.
