Attention Whole Food Shoppers Thesis

Robert Paarlberg, the author of “Attention Whole Food Shoppers” is currently a professor of political science at Wellesley University. Paarlberg’s interests lie in researching “food and agricultural policy, with a focus on farming technologies and poverty in the developing world”(Robert). In addition, he has worked in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, International Food Policy Research Institute, and the United States Agency for International Development in multiple countries. Paarlberg has also published a book, titled “How Biotechnology is Being Kept Out of Africa”, in 2008.

“Attention Whole Food Shoppers” was published in Foreign Policy magazine on April 26, 2010. Foreign Policy claims it “has established itself at the forefront of media organizations devoted to the coverage of global affairs”(History). The publication has an audience of

approximately 2.4 million monthly readers and is on the verge of broadening its sources; some of which include John Kerry and Hillary Clinton.
In Paarlberg’s article, the main argument being made is that in order to combat the issue of hunger in poor countries, donor contributions must be present and consist of knowledge, development and technology.

In other words, it is not a quick fix. Paarlberg, when talking about fighting hunger, states that “one reason for this failure has been sharply diminished assistance from international donors”(Attention). Similar to the 1980’s and 1990’s, it is not enough just to send food aid. The necessity is development, which leads these hunger struck countries to become independent and productive. Evidence shows that these specific contributions have made significant impacts in the past. For instance, “The U.S. Agency for International Development, with the World Bank, helped finance fertilizer plants and infrastructure projects, including rural roads and irrigation”(Attention), which was not in India’s independent capability at the time, and pushed India to independence from foreign aid. This is just one of the few examples of the type of support that is needed to end global hunger, which Paarlberg is advocating

for.
The arguments raised in the article are remedied by the author’s use of statistics and credibility to appeal to the reader’s reasoning. Paarlberg addresses both sides of the fight on Green Revolution technology, by not only stating its notable accomplishments, but revealing its disadvantages to the environment. If he had only offered foresight for support of Green Revolution and its methods, Paarlberg might have only appealed to readers sympathetic to the topic. However, by presenting the opposition he is able to convince those who are skeptical as well. He continues to reason with reader’s through undermining the opposition by discrediting their argument. Paarlberg explains that certain claims, such as those blaming Green Revolution for world hunger (Attention), are misleading, and lack support from facts. The essay does well in helping readers see that the advantages certainly outweigh potential downsides. Readers reason with the author’s major point that Green Revolution has been proven to work in the past. This raises questions as to why spreading the innovation is being impeded. Although Paarlberg’s argument is conveyed as convincing, the information that he provides in support is abundant, maybe even slightly hyperbolic. By using excessive amounts of statistics, this article often times makes it hard to keep track of the information, straying readers from the main point.