States of Subsistence: The Politics of Bread in Contemporary Jordan

José Ciro Martínez examines khubz arabi, the ubiquitous flatbread known as pita, to unpack the effects of the welfare program that ensures its widespread availability. He argues that the state is best understood as the product of routine practices and actions, and that states of Subsistence describes logics of rule in contemporary Jordan and the place of bread within them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 22 March 2022
Publisher: Stanford University Press

In Jordan, over nine million residents consume approximately ten million loaves of khubz arabi, a slightly leavened flatbread known as pita, on any given day. For some, it is a lifeline, a means of avoiding starvation; for others, it is a cherished pleasure. Despite its prevalence in accounts of Middle East politics and society, we rarely pause to consider the intricate processes involved in the preparation, consumption, discourse, and circulation of bread—and the profound implications that these processes hold. In his groundbreaking book, José Ciro Martínez delves into the world of khubz arabi to explore the far-reaching effects of the welfare program that ensures its widespread availability. Drawing on over a year of firsthand experience working as a baker in Amman, Martínez delves deep into the practices that underpin subsidized bread. Through his immersive examination of social welfare provision, Martínez challenges our conventional understanding of the state as a fixed entity and reveals it as the product of routine practices and actions that shape the lives of citizens. States of Subsistence goes beyond describing the logics of rule in contemporary Jordan and the role of bread within them. It also unpacks the ways in which the state endures through forms, sensations, and practices amidst the seemingly mundane and unremarkable aspects of daily life. By examining the intricate relationship between bread, welfare, and the state, Martínez offers a thought-provoking analysis that sheds light on the complex dynamics of power, governance, and social welfare in the Middle East. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the region's political, social, and economic landscapes, as well as the role of food in shaping society.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503631328