Food Insecurity and Political Stability: Evidence from Multi-Country Studies

Asiimwe Kyomugisha T.

Faculty of Business, Kampala International University, Uganda

                                                                                            ABSTRACT
Food insecurity remains a critical global challenge with far-reaching socio-economic and political consequences. This study examines the relationship between food insecurity and political stability through a multi-country analytical lens. Drawing on cross-national datasets and existing empirical literature, the paper conceptualizes food insecurity as a multidimensional phenomenon encompassing availability, access, utilization, and stability, while political stability is framed in terms of regime durability, public order, and legitimacy. The analysis identifies key mechanisms linking food insecurity to instability, including grievance mobilization, erosion of social cohesion, economic decline, competition over scarce resources, and increased likelihood of protests and political violence. Evidence across regions particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and East Asia demonstrates a consistent negative association between food insecurity and political stability, although outcomes vary depending on governance quality, state capacity, and policy responsiveness. Methodological challenges such as data limitations, measurement inconsistencies, and potential endogeneity are also highlighted. The study concludes that while food insecurity often undermines political stability, effective governance and targeted policy interventions can mitigate its destabilizing effects. It contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive
multi-country perspective and identifying gaps for future research, particularly regarding governance systems and long-term causal dynamics.

Keywords: Food Insecurity, Political Stability, Governance, State Capacity and Cross-Country Analysis.

CITE AS: Asiimwe Kyomugisha T.. (2026). Food Insecurity and Political Stability: Evidence from MultiCountry Studies. Research Output Journal of Arts and Management 5(1):19-25.
https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJAM/2026/511925