Food prices may predict riots
As England continues to clean up its cities and sort through court cases brought on by this month's riots, one may wonder what ripens conditions for social unrest in other areas of the world. Though it's not clear whether this is the case in England, food prices often set the stage for riots around the globe
Researchers from the New England Complex Systems Institute in Cambridge looked at trends in food prices and recent protests and riots in North Africa and the Middle East. They found a noticeable link between the two, suggesting political disagreement isn't all that's necessary to spark conflict. Instead, the lack of security and access to people's basic needs -- including food -- are better predictors.
Full story at Discovery News.
Photo credit: Fotolia
