Socialist Worker: The Revolt of the Hungry

The revolt of the hungry

Capitalism's warped priorities produce artificial shortages of the basic necessities.

January 19, 2011

Tunisians march in Tunis for bread and an end to the reign of a dictator (Nasser Nouri)

"WE WANT bread and water and no Ben Ali," read protesters' handwritten signs as they took to the streets in cities and towns across Tunisia. Some waved loaves of bread, symbols of the hunger that drew people into a struggle that ultimately toppled the corrupt 23-year reign of Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali.

Tunisia isn't alone in suffering the effects of a new global food crisis that has pushed up prices for staples by one-third in the past six months, according to the United Nations. It isn't alone in witnessing furious protests over the failure of the system to provide for people's most basic needs. And it may not be alone for long in seeing hated rulers overthrown.

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