BREAD AND POLITICS: THE TAX INGREDIENT

Bread is at the heart of politics across the world. It represents labour, life, and livelihoods. Ruling classes down the ages have always offered "bread and circuses" to keep a lid on mass discontent over unpopular policies. From the French Revolution to the Flour Massacre in Gaza, bread has symbolized not only the people's basic needs but also the broader struggles for justice and equity. The relationship between bread and politics is deeply intertwined in history. Bread, as a basic staple of life, has often symbolized the people's needs and well-being. When the availability or price of bread is threatened, it often serves as a catalyst for political upheaval and revolution. History is filled with examples where the cry for bread became a rallying point for change, highlighting the profound connection between sustenance and the social contract.

The concept of the social contract is central to the relationship between governments and their citizens. At its core, the social contract is an implicit agreement between the people and their government, where individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms in exchange for protection and the provision of basic needs by the state. This contract forms the foundation of modern governance, where the state is entrusted with the responsibility to safeguard the lives, property, and well-being of its citizens.

One of the most critical aspects of this contract is the government's duty to create conducive environments for economic prosperity. Citizens place their trust in the government to manage resources, implement fair policies, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive. When governments fail in these responsibilities—when they allow corruption, mismanagement, or negligence to prevail—the social contract begins to fracture.

The saying "a hungry man is an angry man" encapsulates this reality. Hunger is not just a physical state but a powerful symbol of the government's failure to uphold its end of the social contract. When people cannot afford basic necessities like bread, it is often seen as a direct consequence of poor governance. Hunger breeds discontent, and discontent leads to unrest. History has shown time and again that when the state cannot or will not ensure that its citizens have access to essential resources, people will take matters into their own hands.

For instance, youth-led protests have erupted across Kenya due to the proposed 16% tax hike on bread. These protests were not just about the cost of bread but symbolized broader frustrations with economic inequality, government corruption, and perceived indifference to the struggles of ordinary citizens.

Most recently, the tragic events in Gaza, known as the Flour Massacre, have underscored the ongoing connection between bread and political unrest. As the ongoing blockade and military conflict in Gaza led to severe food shortages, a deadly incident occurred when a crowd of people, desperate for flour, was attacked by Israeli armed forces, leading to numerous casualties. The Flour Massacre became a symbol of the extreme deprivation faced by the people of Gaza. It highlighted how the struggle for basic necessities like bread can become a flashpoint for conflict and violence, particularly in regions already beset by political instability.

Another prime example is the "Bread and Roses" strike of 1912 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Textile workers, many of them women and immigrants, went on strike after their wages were cut, making it difficult for them to afford basic necessities like bread. The slogan "Bread and Roses" symbolized their demand not just for fair wages (bread) but also for dignified working conditions (roses).

The French and Russian Revolutions are two of the most significant examples in history where bread played a pivotal role in igniting political upheaval. In late 18th century France, economic crisis, poor harvests, and the soaring price of bread pushed the population to the brink, with bread riots symbolizing the desperation of the masses. The storming of the Bastille in 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution, fueled in part by the monarchy's inability to ensure affordable bread for the people. Similarly, in Russia, the early 20th century saw severe food shortages, particularly during World War I, which led to widespread discontent. Bread lines in Petrograd became a common sight, and the slogan "Peace, Land, and Bread" became a rallying cry for the Bolsheviks. The failure of the Tsarist regime to provide basic necessities like bread contributed directly to the Russian Revolution of 1917, leading to the fall of the monarchy and the rise of the Soviet Union. Both revolutions underscore how the inability to provide bread—a fundamental symbol of sustenance and security—can catalyze the collapse of entire regimes.

The connection between bread and political unrest is a powerful reminder that the impact of governmental decisions is not an abstract concept but a reality etched into the daily lives of ordinary people. Policies that disregard the vulnerable, economic strategies that widen the gap between the rich and the poor, and social initiatives that lack inclusivity can cast a shadow over entire communities. These failures echo through struggling economies, compromised healthcare systems, and underfunded educational institutions, making it clear that when people are pushed to the brink by economic hardship, the social contract is at risk—and with it, the stability of society. The phrase "a hungry man is an angry man" serves as a stark warning: when governments fail to provide for the basic needs of their people, the consequences are profound and far-reaching, often sparking unrest that can alter the course of history.

By Peggy Kere Osman