Settler colonialism de-develops food systems in protracted crises

Abstract

Prevalent policy responses to food systems in protracted crises adopt a dichotomous lens of either humanitarian aid or economic underdevelopment, while ignoring the key role of colonialism and/or settler colonialism. Here we propose a framework to enable us to better comprehend food systems in protracted crises by paying attention to the role of colonial and settler colonial regimes and their use of slow violence and land dispossession in de-developing food systems. Investigation and acknowledgement of these structural drivers of food systems change is critical for policy success due to the role of the state in the perpetration of violence against Indigenous or native peoples’ food systems in protracted crises. Policy responses to food systems in protracted crises tend to ignore the role of colonial and settler colonial regimes and their use of slow violence and land dispossession in de-developing food systems. Acknowledging these structural elements is critical for policy success.