Final answer:
Food scarcity in the southern regions of what is now France was caused by a combination of inflation, a cooling climate less suitable for agricultural production, and ineffective government macroeconomic policies that failed to distribute available food equitably.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scarcity of food in the southern regions of modern-day France, historically, can be attributed to a combination of environmental, economic, and policy factors. During the 1860s, rampant inflation made food too expensive for many, leading to widespread starvation. As the climate cooled, it became less suitable for agriculture, which alongside Europe's growing population led to food shortages.
Additionally, despite modern advancements in agriculture producing more than enough food, government macroeconomic policies often fail to ensure an equitable distribution of this food.
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen emphasizes the importance of stable inflation, employment, and property rights to curb starvation and distribute food more evenly. Consequently, it’s understood that the food crisis is less about food production and more about effective distribution influenced by governmental policies.