
Insects as Food for Capitalism
The Entomophagy Frontier in Laos, Thailand and beyond
Andrew Müller(Author)
Galda Verlag
1st Edition
Published on 12. June 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-3-96203-203-6 (ISBN)
Description
Are insects the food of the future, alleviating world hunger and ecological issues? In this book, based on extensive field research in Laos and Thailand, the author suggests otherwise. He describes local transformations in 'entomophagy' and explores differences between South East Asian and Western food cultures before presenting a deconstruction of the widespread 'insect solution narrative'. Empirical observations are discussed mainly in the light of the World-Ecology approach, seeing the exploitation of humans and nature as inextricably intertwined. The main argument targets the commodification of edible insects and related resources, denoted by the central concept of the 'entomophagy frontier'.
Unfolded along the lines of the distinction between wild-collected and farmed insects, it holds that the emerging entomophagy industry tends to reinforce the problems it addresses by ignoring their structural causes:
social inequality, systemic unsustainability and ultimately the insatiability of capitalism.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Developments in the field of area studies - goaded by the analytical deconstruction of world regions from their geopolitical sense - have deeply affected the knowledge production from societies and cultures located in the politicized compartmentalization of the globe. With this series, the editors and authors wish to contribute to a reformulation of sensibilities in area studies which emphasizes the epistemic value of contextualized knowledge production. Starting with the notion of Southeast Asia, books published in this series will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of regionality based on a multidisciplinary approach. The series represents an outlet for young scholars intending to publish their degree theses; and for established scholars who are looking for a place to republish out-of-print books. We also encourage scholarly collectives from the regions to publish collaborative works or edited volumes on topics that usually will not attract the attention of big presses due to their transdisciplinary orientation.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Prof. Caroline S. Hau
Prof. Vincent Houben
Prof. Boike Rehbein
Prof. Barend Terwiel
Dr. Xue Li
Dr. Benjamin Baumann
Dr. Daniel Bultmann
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Glienicke
Germany
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
30
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
380 gr
ISBN-13
978-3-96203-203-6 (9783962032036)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2022
1st Edition
Galda Verlag
€29.99
Available for download
Person
Author
Andrew Müller, M.A., studied Sociology/Social Sciences and Area Studies with a focus on Asia at the Humboldt University of Berlin. He is now an independent scholar and journalist.
ISNI: 0000 0000 7386 4302 GND: 1189697432
ISNI: 0000 0000 7386 4302 GND: 1189697432