Food has historically been supplied in a way that can be considered autocratic, with control concentrated in the hands of a few.

Historical Examples of Autocratic Food Supply

Throughout human history, control over food production and distribution has often been used as a tool for political power and social control. This is particularly evident in the following ways:

• Feudalism: In feudal societies, land and agricultural production were controlled by a small elite of nobles and monarchs. Serfs, who worked the land, were tied to it and had to give a large portion of their harvest to their lords. This system created a power dynamic where the ruling class had autocratic control over the food supply of the masses.
• Monopolies and Grain Control: Governments and powerful entities have often established monopolies over essential food items, particularly grains. In ancient Rome, for example, the state controlled the grain supply to prevent price spikes and riots, but this also gave them immense power over the population. Similarly, in other empires, controlling granaries and trade routes for staples like wheat or rice was a key aspect of maintaining authority.
• Famine as a Weapon: The use of deliberate famine as a weapon of war or political subjugation is a grim but powerful example of autocratic food supply. The Holodomor in Ukraine (1932-1933), for instance, was a man-made famine caused by Soviet policies that seized grain, leading to the starvation of millions. This demonstrated a total, autocratic control over the food supply for political ends.