Famine Crimes: Politics and the Disaster Relief Industry in Africa

Alex de Waal

What kind of political system actually prevents famine, and why can humanitarian relief sometimes feed the problem instead of ending it?

At a glance

You will see that giving famine relief is a political act, never simply neutral
You will understand what an anti famine political contract needs, including public outrage that holds government to account
You will weigh the link between human rights abuses, such as attacks on farmers' property and free movement, and the making of famine