5 Comments

Such a great interview, Thin. I'm definitely going to buy this book and I couldn't not see a parallel with the work around migration that I write about. Many of the people trying to cross the border come from agricultural backgrounds and can't make enough money to support their families, so they cross the border to take jobs on these big corporate ag farms in the US only to be exploited, injured on the job or worse.

Expand full comment

Melissa, coincidentally I read this, and your comment, just after reading Adam Tooze's reflections on agriculture and conflict in the last century. Similar forces, or indeed the descendants of those forces, continues to drive some of the economic context Frerick writes about, and that drive some of migration mapped in your work.

In my own work on the political economy of climate, I think these issues are recognised, but not well enough integrated into the wider politics of climate change. Thanks for making the links and for your work.

https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-295-the-war-of-the-villages

Expand full comment

Ah thanks so much for the kind comments Melissa! And you are so totally right about the parallels with the migration stories you cover. Imagine a future where rising temperatures have made it difficult for vast parts of the world to grow food (including many parts of the U.S.) and you only have these "barons" to rely on. A very disturbing thought.

Expand full comment

Great interview, and what a great take on the subject.

Also 3 knock-out reads.

Thank you as always

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Expand full comment