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A Geographical Investigation of the Egyptian Context

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The International Food Crisis: A geographical investigation of the Egyptian context Mizhar Mikati A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM IN GEOGRAPHY YORK UNIVERSITY TORONTO, ONTARIO July, 2020 © Mizhar Mikati, 2020 Abstract This dissertation is a study of the link between international and national economic crises and food insecurity. This dissertation approaches food insecurity from the vantage point of a historical-geographical materialist approach to capitalist crisis and food insecurity. In doing so, this dissertation is divided into two parts; the first part is a conceptual review and development of food provisioning under capital accumulation and the second part is an empirical discussion of the general development of international food crisis of 2008 and the case study of Egypt and food insecurity. In the first part, this dissertation seeks to theoretically examine and conceptually develop a normative approach to the social theory of food needs that runs counter to the general assumptions of capitalist development. In addition, this dissertation reviews the major approaches to food insecurity in order to bring to forefront their approach to economic crises and food insecurity. In doing so, this dissertation develops a value-form analysis to the contradictions of global capital accumulation in the provisioning of general human needs and food needs. This conceptual task is to focus on fundamental contradictions involved in capital accumulation that cannot fully abolish food insecurity in its many forms. In the second part, this dissertation examines the contradictions of capital accumulation in the case study of the international food crisis of 2006-08 and in the Egyptian context. In both cases, this dissertation seeks to articulate the structural limitations faced by a number of food- importing dependent states in capital accumulation in general and the neoliberal period in particular. ii Dedication To My Loving Parents Nour and Rola, And to My Loving Partner Leah iii Acknowledgements This dissertation would have not been possible without the support of many people. I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. Raju Das who was essential in my scholarly, academic, and intellectual development. He provided guidance, advice, encouragement and feedback in conducting research for this dissertation and for other academic work. I learned a lot from his expertise that showed me the importance and necessity to develop critical scholarly work in the advancement of knowledge. I would also like to thank my committee members Dr. Greg Albo and Dr. Anna Zalik who provided me with feedback and encouragement as I completed my dissertation. Their comments and feedback on my dissertation draft had also aided me to sharpen my analysis. I would also like to thank my oral examining committee Dr. Ranu Basu, Dr. Hira Singh, and my external examiner Dr. Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro. They provided helpful and critical comments which I will reflect on as my academic journey and research continues. I would also like to thank the staff at York University who always aided me in navigating the university and its resources. Special thanks go to Yvonne who was always there when I needed assistance and guidance throughout my studies. Her support was essential as I completed my studies. I would also like thank all fellow students, fellow teaching assistants, faculty, and staff throughout my studies at York within the Geography Department, but also outside of it. I’d also like to thank Ashley, Catalina, Charvaak, Jarren, Josh, Ritika, Robert, Rupinder, and Sudarshana with whom we had many discussions throughout the years. Many had also provided me with helpful advice, encouragement and comments before my oral examination, making the entire process smooth and enjoyable. I’d also like to thank everyone who I spent working in organizing various conferences and participating in iv various workshops; they were exceptional experiences, and I have everyone to thank. Moreover, my dissertation would have also not been possible without the positive experience and memories that I had as I pursued my undergraduate education at the University of Toronto and my Masters in the Political Science Department at York University. Many of the teachers and fellow students no doubt played a pivotal role in my academic interests, and for them I thank them for their collegiality, friendship and encouragement. I would also like to thank the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship for their support throughout my studies. I would also like to thank everyone who took the time to help me navigate fieldwork research and for all the respondents that were willing to share their experiences and expertise and to take the time helping me navigate fieldwork. I would like to also thank all those who I met and worked with when I took a professional leave of absence from York University to pursue an apprenticeship in small-scale food production. This was an opportunity in which I was able to learn the close day-to-day workings and conditions of small-scale farming. This experience has given me grounds to continue and broaden my research as I pursue my studies on the political economy of food production and accessibility. This dissertation would also not be possible without the loving support of my friends and family as I pursued my studies. Their friendship throughout the years always kept me going. I would particularly like to thank my loving parents Nour and Rola, and my partner Leah. Leah, who I had met early during my doctoral studies and who saw this research project unfold was always there with her love, support and advice. My parents, Nour and Rola, were absolutely and unconditionally supportive as I pursued my studies. They have v always been there for me, and I owe it all to them. This research would have not been possible without their love and unconditional support. vi Table of Contents ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................. II DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................................. III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................... IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................. VII LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... XI LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................................... XIV 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 GROWING FOOD, REAPING HUNGER ............................................................................................... 1 1.2 DISSERTATION OBJECTIVES AND CONTRIBUTIONS ........................................................................... 8 1.3 THE EXISTING LITERATURE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VALUE-FORM ANALYSIS ......................... 17 1.4 OUTLINE ...................................................................................................................................... 23 2 FOOD INSECURITY AND CRISES: A REVIEW OF THE EXISTING LITERATURE ....................... 26 2.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 26 2.2 FOOD INSECURITY AND CRISES: EXPLANATIONS AND LIMITATIONS .................................................. 28 2.2.1 Universal Explanations for Food Insecurity ........................................................................... 29 2.2.1.1 Scarcity and the Inevitable Hunger: The Malthusian Approach ................................................... 30 2.2.1.2 ‘Productivism’ and Market Fundamentals .................................................................................... 35 2.2.2 Entitlements and the Critique of Universalism ...................................................................... 40 2.2.3 Wealth Transfer Approach .................................................................................................... 44 2.2.3.1 Unequal Exchange and Food Insecurity ...................................................................................... 46 2.2.4 Food Regimes of Accumulation ............................................................................................ 53 2.2.4.1 The Development of Capitalism, Crisis and Food Regimes ........................................................ 55 2.3 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................... 61 vii 3 GROWING HUMAN NEEDS: A HISTORICAL-MATERIALIST APPROACH TO FOOD AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT .......................................................................................................................... 63 3.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 63 3.2 HUMAN NEEDS AND SOCIETY:
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