2022, Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part D

Author(s): Firoz Alam

Abstract: This paper examines the intersection of natural phenomena and governmental actions within the realm of environmental history, with a particular focus on the Anthropocene and the concept of the Capitalocene. The study explores the theme of violence exerted by both natural events and human policies through two primary case studies: the 1877-78 famines in India, China, and Brazil, driven by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. Drawing from Brian Fagan's analysis, the paper delves into the devastating impact of ENSO-induced droughts and the varying governmental responses that exacerbated the crises. Fagan emphasizes the role of colonial policies, such as Lord Lytton's laissez-faire approach in India, which neglected price controls and subsidies, further aggravating the famine's toll. In contrast, Mike Davis presents a critical examination of the same famines within the context of the global economic depression of 1873, highlighting the interplay between ecological events, the global capitalist economy, and colonial exploitation. Davis argues that famines functioned as instruments of historical change, underscoring the stark disparities between the global north and the 'third world.' This paper traces the dual impact of natural and human-induced violence, demonstrating how environmental factors and colonial policies collectively precipitated and intensified the suffering of millions.

DOI: 10.22271/multi.2022.v4.i2d.431

Pages: 240-241 | Views: 134 | Downloads: 38

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