Broads Quote by Amartya Sen
“I attempted to see famines as broad "economic" problems (concentrating on how people can buy food, or otherwise get entitled to it), rather than in terms of the grossly undifferentiated picture of aggregate food supply for the economy as a whole.”
About This Quote
Sen critiques viewing famines purely as economic shortages, urging a broader view that includes social and political factors influencing food access.
In simple terms: Famine is not just about food scarcity but about people’s ability to obtain it.
Key Takeaway
Address both supply and access in famine prevention.
Themes
economics
human rights
public policy
food security
political economy
Mood
analytical
concerned
Type
academic
policy‑oriented
When to use this quote
- government response
- NGO planning
- community resilience
- market analysis
- international aid
Key Concepts
distribution
entitlement
social justice
institutional failure
Questions to Reflect On
- What non‑economic factors most affect food access?
- How can policy address both supply and entitlement?
A Different Perspective
Economic models alone cannot capture the full complexity of famine causes.
