Rise of European Colonialism and the Emergence of the Global Food System Profit motive Colony a production site for non-European crops Urbanizing more affluent homeland provides market for food exports Colony provides market for homeland manufactured goods Monopoly—trade focused only upon homeland All control in the homeland Infrastructure minimizes costs, maximizes control May create a small, controlling local elite

Role of “Southern” Governments Development projects often done on monumental scale for prestige –Projects not aimed at food security Government often controlled by an elite that benefits from the current system –Often a colonial remnant –Used to insuring survival through graft, corruption Dispersed rural population often not well represented Perceived differences within the country

Role of Development and International Aid Aid applied according to development theories –And reflect development world philosophies Often designed to aid north or TNCs –Much US aid to Egypt, Israel for example NGOs, smaller, may have better record, but still have their own agenda International banking system—created by the north after WWII

General Agreement on Trades and Tariffs (GATT) Rounds Geneva Round (1948)—23 countries –Creates GATT Geneva 4 th Round (1956)—26 –Tariff reductions; strategy towards LDCs Kennedy Round (1967)—62 –First cross the board rather than product tariff reductions Tokyo Round (1979)—102 –Reduced non-tariff barriers; focus on manufactured goods Uruguay Round (1986)—125 –Created WTO to replace GATT; reduced tariffs, export subsidies, and other import limits Doha Round (2001)—134 –Focus on agriculture; failure thus far

GATT Changes

World Bank Group “Bretton Woods” institution after United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference (1944). Ratified 1945 –Provides loans and grants to member states –Focused on developing countries Human development Agriculture and rural development Environmental protection Infrastructure governance

Criticisms of World Bank A US or Western tool imposing policies that support western interests –Supports neo-colonial corporate policies –Operates under neo-liberal principles –Required repayment no matter what –“shock treatment” Is controlled by developed countries— governance based on level of financial contribution –US—16.4%; Japan 7.9%; Germany 4.5% –Major policy shift requires 85% yes; thus, US controls

International Monetary Fund Another consequence of the Bretton Woods Conference— initiated in 1945 with 29 countries The IMF is controlled by those countries that put up the money—essentially the developed world Currently has 184 members—nearly the entire membership on the UN Primary role—to provide financial assistance to countries with serious financial difficulties—loans In return, they must launch certain reforms aimed at ensuring that the IMF is helping to prevent crisis rather than just bailing out recklessness. The approach is typically neo-liberal— supply side—often including currency devaluation, privatization and higher taxes

Role of Transnational Corporations— the “new colonialism” Control of key parts of the agricultural system Profit motive Desire to ensure market share Dominance influence of “northern” governments and organizations