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14. The Modern Expansion Of Agriculture

In: Revealed Biodiversity An Economic History of the Human Impact

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  • Eric L. Jones

Abstract

In the language of public affairs, the most chilling phrase is said to be, ‘it's different this time’. At every steep slide in the stock market, out come the Marxists to celebrate that this time capitalism really has reached the end of the road. And at every major spike in food prices, the neo-Malthusians emerge to proclaim that population growth has finally outstripped food supplies, this time for good. The food price spike of 2008–2009 produced this response. Influential opinion is convinced that price spikes are caused by speculators buying stocks of food and holding them against further rises. Blaming speculators predominates among conspiracy theorists in Europe, especially in France. They discount drought, rising demand or rising costs of production. In truth, despite being painful and even fatal for some of the world's poor, market prices do not reflect the supply situation fully. Most crops in less-developed countries are grown and eaten locally, and too small a fraction is internationally traded for market prices to represent reality.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric L. Jones, 2014. "14. The Modern Expansion Of Agriculture," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Revealed Biodiversity An Economic History of the Human Impact, chapter 14, pages 205-225, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:wschap:9789814522571_0014
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