The complexities around global food security and biofuel production are at the intersection of some crucial global challenges: hunger, energy security, resource governance and development. Although...Show moreThe complexities around global food security and biofuel production are at the intersection of some crucial global challenges: hunger, energy security, resource governance and development. Although biofuels have received attention as a means to sustainably solve international energy concerns and promote rural development, the impacts of biofuel expansion in developing countries have set in motion a considerable debate about their impact on food security. In response to a lack of integrated scientific analysis, this thesis applies the theory of economic externalities to biofuel production and explores whether there is a general, negative effect on food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. The results of a multiple linear regression analysis confirm a negative impact of biofuel production on food security, although the effect is small in comparison to other food security determinants. Interestingly, the study reveals an important moderating role of regime types in the biofuel-food security nexus, showing that the negative effect is particularly the case in non-democratic regimes. In view of rising demand for renewable energy sources and increasing food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa, this study calls for more in-depth analysis of the interactions between these dynamics.Show less
The thesis argues that in the event of another DPRK famine, an argument under the principles of The Responsibility to Protect (RtoP) for international intervention can be made.
