Junk Food Politics: How Beverage and Fast Food Industries Are Reshaping Emerging Economies

The Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future is pleased to announce the Fall 2023 schedule of speakers in the Global Health Politics Workshop series. The monthly speaker series brings together leading social scientists from the disciplines of anthropology, political science, and sociology to advance the understanding of health phenomena in a globally interconnected world.

The first event of the fall will feature Eduardo J. Gómez (Professor & Director, Institute of Health Policy & Politics, Lehigh University) and is titled “Junk Food Politics: How Beverage and Fast Food Industries Are Reshaping Emerging Economies.”

In his new book, Junk Food Politics, Prof. Eduardo J. Gómez explores the paradox of thriving sugary beverage and fast food industries in some developing nations, despite government commitment to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes. Gómez argues that the challenge lies with the strategic politics of junk food industries in these countries. Industry leaders have succeeded in creating supportive political coalitions by, ironically, partnering with governments to promote soda taxes, food labeling, and public awareness and exercise initiatives while garnering presidential support (and social popularity) through contributions to government anti-hunger and anti-poverty campaigns. These industries have also manipulated scientific research while creating their own support bases among the poor through employment programs and community services. Gómez proposes an alternative political science framework that emphasizes how junk food corporations restructure politics and society before agenda-setting ever takes place.

This series operates in a hybrid format to accommodate participation in person at the Pardee Center (67 Bay State Road) and via Zoom. Talks are free to attend, and lunch is provided for those attending in person.