| If the systems that we build, including food systems, are meant to support and reflect our ideologies and theories, then contemporary interest in well-being and happiness cannot be ignored. If we want well-being to flourish and to be happy then the foods we eat must also be produced, processed and consumed in this way. This thesis critically examines if and how well-being and happiness are being facilitated through food systems driven by neoliberalism, food security and food sovereignty. This thesis uses systems thinking to identify the elements and relationships within each food system and applies a critical theory lens to delineate the power within those relationships. Each system is then evaluated using Dr. Jennifer Sumner's theoretical model of sustainability to understand if and how they promote the three building blocks of sustainability---counter-hegemony, dialogue and life values---and thus well-being and happiness. |
