Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan: Socio-Economic Influences

Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan: Socio-Economic Influences of Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Diets

Michael Pollan, in his book The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, discussed the social, economic, and geographic/environmental factors that influenced humanity's diets, of which eating both plants and animals -- an omnivorous diet -- is the predominant diet in most of today's societies. However, in the midst of this omnivorous diet is an emerging group of vegetarian or only plant-eating humans, which creates a new dynamic, between omnivores and vegetarian eaters. The position paper that will be developed based on Pollan's book will provide an in-depth exploration of the socio-economic factors influencing vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets.

The in-depth exploration and analysis of socio-economic factors influencing vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets will be conducted through case study analysis. To emphasize on the economic aspect of the analysis, the case studies would look into vegetarianism and non-vegetarianism across the socio-economic spectrum, that is, from low to high income-earning households or individuals. To provide a broader picture of the issue at hand, the case studies would focus on three countries in three continents: United States for North America, Kenya for Africa, and India for Asia. The comparative analysis would include looking at the motivations and values ingrained in individuals/groups who subsist to vegetarianism or non-vegetarianism across the three socio-economic groups mentioned (low, middle, and high income households or individuals).

The following are the research question and outline to be used for the position paper:

Research Question:

What are the socio-economic factors that influence individual preference for a vegetarian or non-vegetarian diet?

Outline:

I. Nature of Vegetarianism and Non-Vegetarianism

a. Definition/Description of Vegetarianism

b. Definition/Description of Non-Vegetarianism

c. Human Diets, as defined in Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma

II. Case Analyses: Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Diets Across 3 Continents