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Analyses of the power structures of the global food system.

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This volume is based on empirical case studies from Europe, Asia and Africa, and analyzes the complex power relations in the global food system.
The conditions behind the production, trading and consumption of foodstuffs are central themes of modern society. The Competitive World of Food analyzes the complex interests and power structures that determine the global food system. This is done using a number of case examples stemming from Europe, Asia and Africa, which are embedded in global relations. This volume shows that the global food system is increasingly being determined by privately financed companies and their specific interests. This makes a public and democratic debate about the future of food all the more important.

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Contested Food is the first volume assembling interdisciplinary perspectives on the global agri-food system from a German-speaking context. The book addresses the globalisation of production, trade and consumption of foods, analyses the connections between producers and consumers, and reveals the power structures and interests that are dominating current agri-food systems. Combining social, global, and area studies perspectives, Contested Food focuses on the actors of the global agri-food system and analyses their interests, strategies, and scopes of action. The book consists of empirically dense case studies from Europe, Asia and (North) Africa offering dense insights into specific regional contexts. The contributors demonstrate: Our current global agri-food system is increasingly dominated by private actors and interests. The conditions of food production and consumption should, however, be subject to public and democratic debate, as they concern the very heart of our society. With this message, Contested Food is directed to an academic as well as non-academic audience and addresses representatives of social movements, politics, and industry.

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Sippel, Sarah Ruth
Dr. Sarah Ruth Sippel ist Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Centre for Area Studies der Universität Leipzig.

Reiher, Cornelia
Dr. Cornelia Reiher ist Juniorprofessorin für die Gesellschaft Japans an der Freien Universität Berlin.

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