Final answer:
Famines and government policies are closely related, as historical governments often provided support to prevent farmers from falling into debt and losing their land.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jen's dad likely explains to Luke that the famine and the government's policies are intricately connected.
During historical famines, such as those in Han China, the state played a key role in providing relief and support to prevent farmers from falling into catastrophic debt, having to sell their land, or succumbing to poverty.
Government intervention could include distributing seed grain, offering tax relief, or controlling interest rates on loans.
Without such support, famine could lead to a downward spiral where the farmers lose their land and become tenants or laborers, further exacerbating the economic divide.
Political debates surrounding these policies could result in criticism, especially if droughts or other disasters exacerbated the hardships faced by the populace, leading to unrest or a call for policy changes.