Food Prices and Political Instability
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Summary:
We examine the effects that variations in the international food prices have on democracy and intra-state conflict using panel data for over 120 countries during the period 1970-2007. Our main finding is that in Low Income Countries increases in the international food prices lead to a significant deterioration of democratic institutions and a significant increase in the incidence of anti-government demonstrations, riots, and civil conflict. In the High Income Countries variations in the international food prices have no significant effects on democratic institutions and measures of intra-state conflict. Our empirical results point to a significant externality of variations in international food prices on Low Income Countries' social and political stability.
Series:
Working Paper No. 2011/062
Subject:
Estimation techniques Food prices Inflation Personal income Price indexes
English
Publication Date:
March 1, 2011
ISBN/ISSN:
9781455221066/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA2011062
Pages:
22
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