Tom Friedman: Food Prices & Revolutions (On Economic Connectivity)
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A key element of the Revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt: rising food prices. As food and energy prices rise and public budgets come under strain, some food and gas subsidies are eliminated — thus creating the conditions for mass protests. But what is the ultimate cause of those food price increases? The short answer: China’s connection to the world economy.

See Thomas Friedman: “China, Twitter and 20-Year-Olds vs. the Pyramids”, The New York Times: “Of course, China per se is not fueling the revolt here — but China and the whole Asian-led developing world’s rising consumption of meat, corn, sugar, wheat and oil certainly is. The rise in food and gasoline prices that slammed into this region in the last six months clearly sharpened discontent with the illegitimate regimes — particularly among the young, poor and unemployed”. [DATA: Wheat prices chart; oil prices chart]