Just governments ought to ensure food security for their citizens.

In 2008, Mexico, Italy, Morocco, Indonesia, Burkina Faso, Egypt, and the city of Milwaukee all saw food riots. In 2011, Algeria, Tunisia, and Yemen joined them. The issue of food security is perhaps the most critical topic to be addressed, and because I support equality and justice for all, I will arguing Pro today. I will start by defining a few terms. A just government: A government that is honorable, fair, and consistent with what is morally right in its dealings and actions. Ought: Used to indicate duty or correctness Ensure: Make certain that something shall occur or be the case Food security: In its broadest sense, it is the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Citizen: a legally recognized subject of a state I value morality as the resolution asks what a just government ought to do, and it is a moral responsibility for it to ensure the survival and well-being of all its population. Contention #1: By law, the government is entitled to ensuring the well-being for all its citizens. The right to access and consume food is a human right. It is stated in Article 25 of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food." This is a binding international legal instrument that must be upheld with the utmost respect and rigidity. Because the government's responsibility is to serve its citizens and ensure their protection and pursuit of happiness, according to the US Constitution, then they have the responsibility to ensure that their citizens have access to food, as access to food is an integral, basic component of protection/pursuit of happiness. Contention #2: If more people have access to food, it ensures a better economy and country. With more people able to access food, they will live healthier lives and increase their abilities to work, get jobs, earn a living, and in general help shape the economy and perform labor that aids their society. Not only are individuals aided with the ensuring of food security, but society as a whole benefits. Contention #3: Access to food supply is most important to the survival of the human species. According to Richard Watson, Professor of Philosophy at Washington University, he published in a paper, "That food sufficient for well-nourished survival is the equal right of every human individual or nation is a specification of the higher principle that everyone has equal right to the necessities of life...Consequently, the moral action is to distribute all food equally, whatever the consequences...it has always been understood that the claims of morality"if taken seriously"supersede those of conflicting reason. One may even have to sacrifice one"s life or one"s nation to be moral in situations where practical behavior would preserve it. For example, if a prisoner of war undergoing torture is to be a (perhaps dead) patriot even when reason tells him that collaboration will hurt no one, he remains silent." I will end my arguments now by emphasizing one last time that although I am addressing every government, I specifically am addressing the governments of food-deficit countries where lack of food is common. I also speak with regards to all aspects of food security: here in America, there are many cities with high obesity rates because fresh fruits and vegetables are too expensive, and people only have access to cheap processed foods. I consider that, the responsibility to ensure healthy food for all, also part of the responsibility. I stand open for Con, but I urge you all to vote Pro. If you believe in a just society, a moralistic government, a world governed by rights and ethics, vote Pro.