Having been through the experience of "large" financial loss (though not to the point of going hungry), I can attest that it changes the way you think about the

Having been through the experience of "large" financial loss (though not to the point of going hungry), I can attest that it changes the way you think about the world, your role in society, who you trust, etc. I wouldn't necessarily discount the idea of dramatic change of behavior if a lot of people get desperate enough.