IMF Working Papers

IMF Working Papers
Journal
Publisher:
International Monetary Fund
ISSN:
1018-5941
The IMF Working Papers series is designed to make IMF staff research available to a wide audience. Almost 300 Working Papers are released each year, covering a wide range of theoretical and analytical topics, including balance of payments, monetary and fiscal issues, global liquidity, and national and international economic developments.
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Food Prices and Political Instability

Food Prices and Political Instability
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Journal Issue
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Volume/Issue:
2011/62
Series:
IMF Working Papers
Author(s):
Rabah Arezki, and Markus Bruckner
Publisher:
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
Published Date:
March 2011
DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.5089/9781455221066.001
ISBN:
9781455221066
ISSN:
1018-5941
Page:
22
We examine the effects that variations in the international food prices have on democracy and intra-state conflict using panel data for over 120 countries during the period 1970-2007. Our main finding is that in Low Income Countries increases in the international food prices lead to a significant deterioration of democratic institutions and a significant increase in the incidence of anti-government demonstrations, riots, and civil conflict. In the High Income Countries variations in the international food prices have no significant effects on democratic institutions and measures of intra-state conflict. Our empirical results point to a significant externality of variations in international food prices on Low Income Countries' social and political stability.
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