Famines are easy to prevent if there is a serious effort…
“Famines are easy to prevent if there is a serious effort to do so, and a democratic government, facing elections and criticisms from opposition parties and independent newspapers, cannot help but make such an effort. Not surprisingly, while India continued to have famines under British rule right up to independence... they disappeared suddenly with the establishment of a multiparty democracy and... a free press and an active political opposition constitute the best early-warning system a country threaten by famines can have.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Democratic institutions, free press, and political opposition act as early warning systems that prevent famines.
In simple terms: Democracy and free media help avert famines.
Key Takeaway
Support democratic accountability.
Themes
politics
food security
governance
Mood
analytical
optimistic
Type
policy
educational
When to use this quote
- government planning
- media monitoring
- NGO advocacy
Key Concepts
institutional economics
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens strengthen early‑warning mechanisms?
- What role does media play in famine prevention?
A Different Perspective
Democracies can still fail without effective implementation.