Ideology of Progress, World Culture, and Animal Protection

The organized protection of animals and the necessity of meat in the human diet are grounded in an ideology of progress that had clearly emerged by the eighteenth century. Stone examines the changing status of animals, increased meat consumption, the nation-state's role in animal protection, and the emergence of non-governmental organizations dedicated to animal protection. This work emphasizes that animal protection and increased meat consumption occur with the expansion of world-level culture and that culture's ideology of progress. This world culture defines animal protection, including the alleviation of pain and suffering, as a necessary value and a goal of a progressive culture and its citizens. Yet, this same culture defines meat consumption, which is perceived as a dietary necessity and indicative of socio-economic development, as another characteristic of a progressive culture and its citizens. While this work examines the dual consumption and protection of animals, Stone also directs attention toward the human population growth and patterns of food production, distribution, and consumption.