Food, Markets, and Governance: A New Lens on the Emergence of Collective Institutions – Frontiers

 

Report on Premodern Economic Systems and their Relevance to Sustainable Development Goals

This report analyzes a theoretical study on the interplay between economic practices and political evolution in premodern societies. The findings are framed within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing historical precedents for contemporary challenges in sustainable development.

Core Analytical Framework: Food Economies and Collective Action

Aligning with SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The study utilizes access to food as a primary analytical lens to investigate historical societal dynamics. This focus directly correlates with SDG 2: Zero Hunger, which aims to ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all people. The historical analysis of food economies illustrates the foundational role of food security in shaping political and social structures.

Theoretical Underpinnings and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The research is explicitly framed by the theory of political collective action. It examines how collective governing institutions evolve, which is a central theme of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The study’s exploration of institution-building in response to economic pressures provides critical insights into the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.

The Dichotomy of Economic Impulses and its Impact on Sustainable Development

A persistent social dynamic is identified, characterized by the conflict between two opposing economic expressions: the “capitalist impulse” and the “egalitarian impulse.”

The “Capitalist Impulse”: A Challenge to SDG 1, SDG 8, and SDG 10

The “capitalist impulse” is defined as the effort by a wealthy elite, often supported by autocratic rulers, to generate unearned profits by exploiting the labor of subordinate populations. This dynamic presents a direct historical challenge to several SDGs:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Such practices actively create and perpetuate conditions of poverty.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): This impulse is based on exploitative labor, undermining the principles of decent work for all.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): It inherently drives and deepens inequality by concentrating wealth and power.

The “Egalitarian Impulse”: A Driver for SDG 10 and SDG 16

The “egalitarian impulse” reflects the collective response of affected populations to counter exploitation through their own agency and the promotion of new institutions. This impulse serves as a historical driver for key SDG targets:

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): It represents a direct action by communities to combat economic and social disparities.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): This response spurred phases of egalitarian political change and the development of more inclusive governing bodies.

Historical Case Studies and SDG Linkages

The report draws on three distinct historical cases to illustrate this dynamic process:

1. Early Imperial China (Han dynasty)
2. The Athenian democracy
3. Medieval to Early Modern Europe

Although these societies had divergent trajectories, their shared experience of conflict between exploitative and egalitarian forces offers a valuable long-term perspective on the challenges addressed by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Conclusion: Insights for Contemporary Policy

The processual analysis of these premodern states provides a useful vantage point for current rhetorical and policy arguments concerning the relationship between state institutions and commercial economies. Understanding the historical tension between economic models that drive inequality and collective actions that promote justice and strong institutions is essential for formulating strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those aimed at reducing poverty (SDG 1), ensuring food security (SDG 2), promoting decent work (SDG 8), reducing inequality (SDG 10), and building just and strong institutions (SDG 16).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article uses “access to food” and “food economies” as a central analytical lens to explore political and economic dynamics.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The text discusses the exploitation of labor, where a “wealthy elite” engages in “free riding on the labor of subaltern populations.”
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The core theme is the conflict between the “capitalist impulse” of a wealthy elite and the “egalitarian impulse” of subaltern populations, highlighting a struggle over resources and power.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article analyzes the role of “political collective action” and “institution-building” as a response to exploitation and a driver of political change.

Specific Targets Identified

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

1. Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The article’s entire framework is built on using “access to food as an analytical lens” to understand the struggles between different social groups in premodern societies.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all… and equal pay for work of equal value. The article’s description of a “wealthy elite” striving to “realize unearned profits by free riding on the labor of subaltern populations” is the direct antithesis of this target, making the struggle against such practices relevant.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all. The “egalitarian impulse” is described as the response of “effected persons to counter such actions through their own agency,” which is a historical parallel to empowering and promoting the inclusion of marginalized populations.
2. Target 10.4: Adopt policies… and progressively achieve greater equality. The article points to “institution-building that spurred phases of egalitarian political change” as a key response to elite exploitation, which is analogous to adopting policies to create greater equality.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The analysis focuses on how the struggle over resources spurred the evolution of “collective governing institutions,” which can be seen as a historical move towards more effective and accountable governance.
2. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The article highlights the “egalitarian impulse” encouraging “institution-building” as a way for subaltern populations to counter autocratic rulers and elites, reflecting a drive for more inclusive and responsive political structures.

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Prevalence of food insecurity among subaltern populations: The article implies this is a key driver of social conflict. The “egalitarian impulse” is a response from those whose access to food is threatened by the elite.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Prevalence of exploitative labor practices: The concept of “free riding on the labor of subaltern populations” directly implies the existence of exploitative conditions that could be measured.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Disparity in wealth and resource control between elites and subaltern populations: The conflict between the “capitalist impulse” and “egalitarian impulse” is rooted in the unequal distribution of economic power and profits.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Effectiveness of collective institutions in countering elite exploitation: The article suggests that a key outcome of the “egalitarian impulse” is the creation of institutions. Their success could be measured by their ability to limit the power of autocratic rulers and the “capitalist impulse” of the elite.

Summary of Findings

SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from Article)
SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.1: Ensure access to food for all, especially the poor and vulnerable.	Prevalence of food insecurity among subaltern populations.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.5: Achieve decent work for all.	Prevalence of exploitative labor practices (“free riding on labor”).
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities	10.2: Empower and promote the inclusion of all. 10.4: Adopt policies to achieve greater equality.	Disparity in wealth and resource control between elites and subaltern populations.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.6: Develop effective, accountable institutions. 16.7: Ensure responsive and inclusive decision-making.	Effectiveness of collective institutions in countering elite exploitation.

Source: frontiersin.org