Fifteenth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

Political scientists have long looked at internal conflict within states and the impact of natural disasters. The impact of natural disasters are felt unevenly around the world with undeveloped states bearing the brunt of the destruction and cost. One of the ways that natural disasters harm societies unequally is if societies are agricultural. Food conflict—disputes over access to and control of essential food resources—can significantly influence internal stability, especially when coupled with natural disasters that compromise agricultural output or disrupt supply chains. We examine Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Nepal in agricultural-majority states and look at the state level to disaggregate which localities have had natural disasters and which have experienced more conflict in wake. We posit that states that are dependent on agriculture with existing conflict are likely to see an increase in said conflict when there is a natural disaster because food supply will be disrupted, leading to widespread instability. As conflict worsens, the distributors of food aid (state versus non-state actor groups) have the potential to gain legitimacy in the specific region.